This week, dozens of members of the Avenues street gang were arrested in a massive sweep that involved more than 1,300 federal, state, and local law enforcement agents. 

Currently in custody are gang members charged with felonies ranging from drug and weapons trafficking to murder.  Many of the arrests were made in the Drew-Estara neighborhood of Glassell Park.

"Reducing crime in our neighborhoods has been a priority for me since I was elected to the City Council, and I've worked to make the Drew-Estara neighborhood safer through a combination of increased law enforcement resources and the provision of more educational, recreational, and economic opportunities," said L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti, whose district includes Drew-Estara.  "This action will make the neighborhood safer for the many law-abiding families who live there."

More than 80 gang members were named in the federal racketeering indictment, which was the result of months of work by a multi-agency task force that included the Los Angeles Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.