The summary of ‘Los Solidos Hartford CT Gang Documentary 2017 The gang that OWNS Connecticut’

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, the narrator discusses a gang known as Los Solidos, which originated in prisons and expanded its influence throughout the city of Hartford, Connecticut. The gang, infamous for their violent behavior and ruthlessness, has caused widespread fear among residents. Their activities range from drug trafficking, including marijuana, heroin, and cocaine, to car thefts, prostitution, and shakedowns. Members of Los Solidos, such as Herman, also known as Big Bird, enforce gang rules and maintain control over their territories. Recruits, often Hispanic males from the city’s barrio, join for various reasons, including the pursuit of easy money and a sense of belonging. Jordan, for example, joined at 14 and quickly made significant money through drug sales. The gang’s influence is substantial, driven by an agenda of total domination and a willingness to kill or die for their cause.

00:05:00

In this part of the video, the story focuses on a man known as Smurf, who grew up in a violent and poverty-stricken area on Hartford’s North Side. Smurf’s childhood was marked by his mother’s involvement in gangs and drugs and his father’s violent behavior. He and his brother often lived on the streets, using their environment for entertainment. At age 9, Smurf joined his first gang and by 13, he dropped out of school and entered into an abusive relationship. His criminal activities landed him in various detention homes, and at 17, he was incarcerated for a serious assault. Upon release, he observed significant changes in gang dynamics, with former enemies uniting. Later, Smurf was initiated into a new gang, Los Solitos, where he was valued for his knowledge and intelligence. A defining moment came in 1993 when Smurf’s friend P was targeted by rivals after defying the orders of the Latin Kings, ultimately leading to a violent confrontation.

00:10:00

In this part of the video, two men confronted a woman and as they were talking, a third man from the Latin Kings gang crept up and shot one of the men in the back. This attack initiated a gang war in Hartford. A higher-ranking gang leader, Smurf, understood that this would lead to widespread violence, which it did, with gunshots heard across the city shortly after the incident. The video then discusses how Hartford street gangs became organized and dangerous since the 1980s, with the Loos being a prominent gang, stemmed from Connecticut state prisons. A key figure, Lawrence Bouvet, known as “LB” or “The Godfather,” envisioned a multi-racial super gang and established Los Celos with the cooperation of the Latin Kings. Under Bouvet’s leadership, a gang charter was created emphasizing responsibility and discipline, and it helped solidify the relationship between Los Celos and the Latin Kings.

00:15:00

In this segment of the video, a new inmate owes significant drug money to “Fist and the SOS,” which leads to a violent encounter in the chow hall where he is repeatedly stabbed as a public message of power. The gang known as Los Solidos, despite prison constraints, ingeniously manages to conduct drug deals and communicate through coded letters. By 1991, the gang’s numbers were surging both inside prisons and on the streets through aggressive recruitment.

The gang, structured with a hierarchy similar to the mafia, featured a president, vice president, secretary treasurer, warlords, enforcers, and foot soldiers. The Godfather, a pivotal figure called Bouvet, ruled from prison but shared power with a governing committee, ensuring a meticulously organized leadership. Jorge Rivera AKA Bino becomes the gang’s president, maintaining their influence both in prison and on the streets. Another key member, Iran Nazario AKA Smurf, moves up the ranks to become the treasurer and public spokesperson, portraying the gang positively in media to maintain their image. However, their true mission was to dominate Hartford, particularly its Hispanic community.

00:20:00

In this part of the video, Los Solidos is depicted as an inclusive gang that recruited members from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. By 1992, they had grown more powerful than the Latin Kings, leading to increased rivalry and violence between the two gangs in Hartford. Once seen as the Latin Kings’ “little cousins,” Los Solidos began pushing the Latin Kings out of their territories through greater violence and numbers. Open clashes became common, turning Hartford into a hotspot for gang violence, reminiscent of a battlefield.

Members of Los Solidos exerted control over their territories with intimidation, beatings, and shootings, leading to a sharp rise in the city’s homicide rate. The authorities, initially in denial about the gang problem, eventually created the first gang task force in June 1992, led by Sergeant Chris Lyons. Despite limited resources, this move signaled the severity of the situation.

Los Solidos expanded their criminal activities, including car theft, prostitution rings, and providing protection to other drug dealers. Their primary income came from cocaine and crack sales, allowing young gang members to amass significant wealth.

00:25:00

In this segment, the video discusses the financial struggles that led to involvement in drug trafficking, specifically through a U-Haul business used to transport various illegal items hidden in secret compartments. It details the gang’s strong principles of loyalty and assistance among members, symbolized by wearing red and blue colors and specific beads. The initiation process into the gang involves a harsh ritual called a “bounce,” where new members are jumped in by fighting others. Additional aspects covered include the gang’s unique handshake, code words, and signals used to communicate discreetly. The gang’s sense of invincibility in 1993, leading to violent conflicts with other gangs, and tensions with law enforcement are highlighted.

00:30:00

In this part of the video, a gang war erupts in Hartford following the murder of P Santana, a high-ranking member of Los Salitos, by the Latin Kings. The conflict began because Santana was having an affair with the girlfriend of the Latin Kings’ president. The killing led Los Salitos’ president, Jorge Rivera, to declare war, resulting in widespread violence and shootings throughout the city. Amid this chaos, Santana’s funeral drew hundreds, symbolizing his significance. The violence escalated, affecting not just gang members but also innocent bystanders, leading the Hartford Police Department to call for backup from state and local agencies. The war peaked on Thanksgiving weekend with multiple murders. Eventually, the federal government intervened, with the FBI, DEA, and ATF building a RICO case against Los Salitos, using tactics like warrants, wiretaps, and surveillance to prove their criminal activities.

00:35:00

In this segment, the video recounts the tragic incident where Marcelina and her family were caught in gang crossfire, resulting in Marcelina’s death. This event escalated public outrage and led to a significant federal crackdown on the Los Solidos gang. The task force heightened their investigations, resulting in over 50 gang members and associates being charged with various crimes, including drugs, racketeering, and murders. Key gang leaders, including Bino Rivera and other high-ranking members, received lengthy sentences. Despite the initial success in diminishing the gang’s power, Los Solidos has been trying to make a comeback. The segment highlights ongoing challenges, with gang members returning to the streets, likely unrepentant and better trained in evading law enforcement. The resurgence includes involvement in new types of drug trades and the continued rivalry with the Latin Kings, suggesting imminent gang conflicts.

00:40:00

In this segment, the video discusses the evolving challenges law enforcement faces with gang members becoming more discreet. Some gang members, like Pee’s brother WKA, are leaving gang life, motivated by family and the desire for a better future. Big Bird also left, tired of the constant violence. Smurf, after serving prison time, committed to changing his life and now counsels at-risk youth on violence prevention. Despite his efforts to stay away, the impact of his gang life lingers, especially after the murder of his brother Ephron in 2008 by a fellow gang member. The segment concludes by highlighting the grim future for gang members, often leading to prison or death, and a call for better alternatives to this destructive cycle.