Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Some find El Monte police officer's side business -- selling clothing with gang symbols -- dismaying
LATimes ^ | June 19, 2009

Posted on 06/19/2009 11:13:36 PM PDT by Steelfish

Some find El Monte police officer's side business -- selling clothing with gang symbols -- dismaying

June 20, 2009

When El Monte Police Officer George Fierro was seen on video kicking a prone, heavily tattooed gang member in the head at the end of a televised high-speed chase, he received some criticism but also a good amount of praise.

Then the 15-year police veteran's side business made the news, and no one advocated giving him a medal for that.

When he's not fighting crime and chasing gang members, Fierro sells a line of clothing. Hiscompany's website is known "for its authentic jailhouse wear."

Among the shirts he sells is one with a black handprint dripping blood -- a symbol of the Mexican Mafia prison gang. The shirt includes the names of members of "the EME" who "wore this tattoo logo."

Another shirt has a logo that reads "Green Lighters" with a splatter of blood in the background. The term refers to someone who has defied the Mexican Mafia and has been put on a hit list.

While reserving judgment on the videotaped kick, Councilwoman Patricia Wallach criticized Fierro's business.

"Our police officers spend their time doing everything possible to prevent gang members promoting themselves and here is an officer who is doing his best to glorify gangs," she said.

Fierro's business is called Torcido Clothing. The Police Department's lawyers are looking at the issue, said El Monte Police Chief Tom Armstrong, but only as an "advisory matter."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: California
KEYWORDS: drugcartels; elmonte; eme; gangs; mexicanmafia

1 posted on 06/19/2009 11:13:37 PM PDT by Steelfish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Steelfish
Some find El Monte police officer's side business -- selling clothing with gang symbols -- dismaying

El Monte, California? Say no more...

2 posted on 06/19/2009 11:29:03 PM PDT by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Steelfish
Unless this policeman is affiliated with the groups represented on his clothing line he might be taking a risk by capitalizing on their symbols.
3 posted on 06/19/2009 11:44:09 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee (A politician can't give you anything he hasn't first stolen from you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Steelfish

I would be surprised if in 15 years the other officers did not know about his gang affiliation. Yah, I know, it is only clothing, but he choose his side in life.


4 posted on 06/20/2009 2:58:34 AM PDT by healy61
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson