Gang members allegedly planned retaliation for police shooting

December 18, 2008 06:30 PM Email| Comments (4)| Text size – +

By Jeannie M. Nuss, Globe Correspondent

Law enforcement officials announced the arrests of 12 alleged Brockton gang members on a slew of gun and drug-related charges today, saying they had learned of a plan to retaliate against police for a police shooting last month.

Members of two gangs had pledged to retaliate for the fatal shooting of John Earl Parks of Green Street by Brockton police on Nov. 5, US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said in a statement.

After officers stopped Parks in an alleged drug deal near Warren Avenue and Green Street, Parks fled on foot, pulled a gun, and fired at officers, Police Chief William K. Conlon said. Police returned fire, killing the 25-year-old.

Eight men are charged with a variety of offenses in federal court, while four others face charges in state court.

Chief Conlon said the investigation, which began earlier this year, would have continued to monitor violent and drug-related gang activity in the city were it not for the “imminent danger” posed by those arrested.

“It’s a relief for our residents, a big improvement,” Conlon said. “They’ve been a plague on the neighborhoods and the good people of the city deserve better.”

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said the arrests send a strong message that the community stands with its police force. “We will not tolerate a threat to their safety or to the law-abiding people who they serve,” he said.

The State Police Gang Unit and Federal Bureau of Investigation, in addition to Brockton Police, investigated the cases.

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4 comments so far...

please dont call he brockton pd law abiding cops or any other police departments law abiding because about 90% of the cops ut there break the law. there pretty much all crooked if you ask most people

Posted by clowns December 18, 08 07:08 PM

one question was asked recently how many police had died in the work while on duty, my answer was if it's one, it's one too many.
it tough to live up to the moto of "to serve and protect"
cool.
let's hear it for the "cops"

Posted by michelle christian December 18, 08 08:52 PM

My Question is Why would these ''gangters'' even consider the thought of retaliating on the police concerning this specific shooting? Maybe there is more to it than the police's story on how it went down.

Posted by Wdering that's all December 19, 08 12:08 AM

A DOZEN IS A GOOD START, LETS HOPE THERES LOTS MORE IN THE FUTURE,

Posted by paully December 19, 08 06:47 AM