#100Days100Nights Hashtag Prompts Fear in South Central LA, But Is It Real?

South L.A. fears gang's threat of violence.

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Image via Complex Original
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Following a weekend where more than six shootings in South Los Angeles left one dead and 12 wounded, threats of more gang violence circulated on social media via the hashtag #100days100nights. The hashtag pertains to a rumored threat a gang had made of delivering 100 days of violence after a 27-year-old man was killed on July 17, leading to the creation of the hashtag #PrayforLA on social media.

Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Bill Scott said, 

“You've got everyday folks who have nothing to do with the gang lifestyle and culture scared.”

According to Scott, police are monitoring social media in an effort to prevent any violence. He met with gang intervention workers Monday and asked for their help in keeping people calm since he believes there’s no evidence that makes the #100days100nights hashtag seem likely. 

Retired detective Sal LaBarbera, who used to investigate South L.A. killings, confirmed LAPD detectives have long been using social media for gang investigations. 

LaBarbera said, “They call it 'wall banging.’ You can put any gang name or monikers or slang, type it in Twitter, type it in Instagram, and you can follow gang members around.”

According to the L.A. Times police are using social media for surveillance as well. LAPD officers have been assigned to monitor websites for messages about, “protests, large parties or activities that may be criminal.” It was some of those officers who heard murmurs of violence as recent as last Tuesday. That's when a sheriff’s memo was sent to deputies last week including screenshots of photos of guns, discussion of the 100 days of violence, hashtags, and Instagram accounts. 

The South L.A.’s station Sheriff’s Capt. Steven J. Sciacca said investigators are looking at the social media messages but no major increase in shootings has been seen since the hashtag began. 

[via LA Times]

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