Gang Cops

A valid short documentary presentation that follows a special gang unit in South Central L. A. that covers the gang dispute between Crips and Bloods, preventing crimes, approaching the youth black community and trying to separate who's criminal from who's in not. It's one of those specials that follow procedures and operations in a very close manner, which gives authorities a great look when it comes to their daily talks with youngsters, toughening up and cursing back when needed, but it's also very far from typical procedures that escapes from the norm and usually that's when tragedy and brutality happens.

The Oscar nominated short by Thomas B. Fleming and Daniel Marks isn't all that interesting or so eye-opening but it's good for the discussion made between the many police approaches and meetings, and it's interesting to see how troubled the 1980's L. A. was with its gangs and crimes. The reality shown sounds fictious with respectful dealings with a poor community, that makes us question why a whole country (and not just the U. S.) can respond in such manner, and why the educational talks the sheriff county guys make with the boys and not sending to jail for misdemeanors or suspicions isn't a more common thing. A lot of lives were (and still are) lost simply because just using a scare straight act wasn't used and a more vicious one end up becoming a norm in poor communities.

The scene where one of the leaders talks to a mother suspicious that his son could be a drug member is amazing, you need to see how it all unfolds until they talk to the boy - who took a gun to school. It all goes well, without any major incident and a lesson was learned by everyone involved.

It's not a re-enactment of things, but if it's that the case, it makes great cinema that should be analyzed but real authorities and real communities. Considering what was shown with special unit and their tactics, they did a great job on the streets. 6/10.