Barrio Los Padrinos 13

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Los Santos Times
By Javier Solís, Staff Writer
June 20, 2025

Gang Unit Cracks Down in Ganton’s Hyatt Park: Barrio Los Padrinos Under Scrutiny

GANTON — In a show of force aimed at curbing growing gang activity in South Los Santos, the Los Santos Police Department's Gang Enforcement Division conducted a high-visibility stop-and-frisk operation Thursday afternoon at Hyatt Park, targeting suspected members of the street gang known as Barrio Los Padrinos.

The operation began shortly after 3:30 PM, when unmarked units and black-and-whites from the Southeast Division descended on the park, a well-known hangout spot for the Ganton-based gang. At least a dozen individuals were detained, lined up against a fence, and searched by gang unit detectives while officers documented identifying tattoos, monikers, and affiliations.

"We're out here to make it clear — this is not a free zone for gang business," said one detective on scene, who asked to remain unnamed. "We’re identifying who’s who, where they’re from, and making sure they know we’re watching."

The sweep appeared to focus on gathering intelligence rather than making arrests. Officers were seen taking photos of hand tattoos, logging nicknames, and questioning those detained about their presence in the park. No weapons or drugs were immediately recovered, but sources say the department is working to build a long-term case on the group.

Barrio Los Padrinos, a relatively young Sureño-aligned set, has established a growing presence in the Hyatt Park and Ganton neighborhoods over the past few years. While not as historically rooted as some of East Los' older sets, the crew is gaining notoriety for their aggressive posturing and a recent uptick in suspected gang-related incidents.

Residents nearby watched the sweep unfold, some voicing support, others keeping their distance.

Despite the crackdown, community tensions remain high. Multiple recent assaults in the area are being loosely attributed to turf disputes, and Hyatt Park has become a central location in what law enforcement sources are calling an "active gang ecosystem."

No charges have been filed from Thursday’s operation, but the LSPD confirmed that the data gathered would be added to ongoing investigations into Barrio Los Padrinos’ activities in South Central.

"We're not just looking for a quick arrest," the detective added. "We’re building the book on them."

Edited Friday at 11:57 PM by Day-Day