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00:00:00 – 00:44:49
The video delves into the rise and impact of the Los Solidos gang in Hartford, Connecticut, highlighting their criminal activities and violent history. Originating in Connecticut state prisons in the late 1980s and led by Lawrence Bouvet, or "The Godfather," Los Solidos grew to dominate the streets through organized crime, including narcotics trafficking and violent confrontations, particularly against the Latin Kings. Key figures like Herman "Big Bird," Jordan, and Iran "Smurf" Nazario played significant roles, with Smurf becoming a public face for the gang while falsely portraying them as community protectors.
Centralized leadership and inclusive recruitment, accepting members of any race, fueled the gang’s rapid expansion and severe rivalry with the Latin Kings, leading to increased violence and a surge in Hartford's homicide rates. Intensive conflicts ensued with notable incidents such as the mistaken killing of Marcelina and the fatal retaliation following high-ranking member P Santana’s death.
Federal agencies eventually intervened, resulting in extensive charges and lengthy sentences for over 50 members, including top leaders. Despite crackdowns, tensions and potential resurgence remain, with many gang members now being paroled. The video also touches on the difficult transitions for former gang members like Smurf, who now focus on violence prevention and mentoring at-risk youth, while grappling with the enduring influence and loss from their past. This underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and communities in mitigating gang influence and seeking sustainable solutions.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, a gang known as Lo Solidos is highlighted for their dominance and the terror they inflicted on Hartford, Connecticut. Lo Solidos, or “The Solid Ones,” originated in prisons and spread to the streets, becoming notorious for their ruthlessness and diverse criminal activities, which include narcotics trafficking, car thefts, prostitution, and shakedowns. The gang’s influence is pervasive, with members willing to kill and die for their allegiance 24/7. Key personalities featured include Herman, aka Big Bird, an enforcer who ensured adherence to gang rules and found solace in violence due to a troubled past, and Jordan, a young recruit drawn to the ease of making significant money through drug sales. Personal motives for joining often varied, ranging from seeking camaraderie to economic necessity.
00:05:00
In this part of the video, the individual known as Smurf recounts his turbulent childhood and early life. Growing up in a violent housing project with a gangbanger mother and abusive father, Smurf and his brother often lived on the streets. He joined his first gang at age nine and dropped out of school by thirteen, engaging in an abusive relationship that led to multiple arrests. At seventeen, Smurf was incarcerated after a violent confrontation and was initiated into the Los Solitos gang. Known for his intelligence and strategic mind, he quickly became a key member. In 1993, after attending a pool party, Smurf recalls how one of his closest friends, Peepe, was targeted by the rival gang, the Latin Kings, following a conflict over a woman, leading to a deadly retaliation.
00:10:00
In this part of the video, the narrative describes a violent incident involving a gang confrontation where a third member of the Latin Kings unexpectedly shot someone named Peipe. This event catalyzed a significant gang war in Hartford, which escalated rapidly with widespread gunfire. The segment also delves into the rise of the Los Solidos gang, explaining how it was formed in Connecticut state prisons in the late 1980s. The gang was organized by Lawrence Bouvet, known as “LB” or “The Godfather,” who had a notable influence within the prison system and orchestrated a strategic alliance with the Latin Kings. This alliance was pivotal in the gang’s growth and dominance, with LB drafting a detailed gang charter that emphasized responsibility and discipline. Under his leadership, the two gangs maintained a close relationship and mutual support.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, Fist and the SOS confront a new inmate who owes them drug money, attacking him in a busy chow hall to send a message that they are not to be crossed. Despite prison staff monitoring, the gang continues to manage outside drug deals and evade detection through coded messages. By 1991, their numbers soar as they aggressively recruit from schools and new jail releases. The gang’s structured hierarchy, led by figures such as the Godfather and various officers, effectively maintains control. Leaders like Jorge Rivera aka Bino, and Iran Nazario aka Smurf, play crucial roles. Bino, known for his sharp memory and dangerous presence, ensures street operations are aligned with prison activities. Smurf, intelligent and media-savvy, acts as the gang’s public face, falsely portraying them as community protectors to mask their criminal ambitions. The gang’s ultimate aim is to dominate Hartford, primarily within the Hispanic community.
00:20:00
In this segment of the video, Los Solidos gang’s inclusive recruiting strategy allowed them to accept members of any race or ethnicity, contributing to their significant growth. By 1992, they outnumbered the powerful Latin Kings, leading to a fierce rivalry between the two gangs, who were once allies. The proximity of their territories in Hartford exacerbated tensions, leading to frequent violent clashes. Los Solidos, once considered “little cousins” to the Latin Kings, emerged as the predominant and more violent gang, aggressively pushing the Latin Kings out of their territories.
As Los Solidos expanded their control over Hartford, they operated with mob-like efficiency, openly dominating areas and other drug dealers. Their tactics included using cars to block streets and employing violence to assert their dominance. The escalating gang conflict led to increasing violence and a surge in the city’s homicide rate. The Hartford police, overwhelmed and under-resourced, formed their first gang task force in June 1992 to combat the growing gang problem.
Los Solidos engaged in various criminal enterprises, including car theft, prostitution, and protection services for other drug dealers. Their primary revenue came from the sale of cocaine and crack, bringing in substantial income for the gang. The violence and criminal activities of Los Solidos in Hartford reached a point where public outcry forced officials to acknowledge and address the serious gang problem.
00:25:00
In this segment, the speaker discusses illicit activities including drug trafficking as a means of financial survival. They describe using U-Haul trucks with secret compartments to transport money, drugs, and weapons across state lines, rendering them undetectable by law enforcement dogs. The segment introduces Los Celos, a gang symbolized by red and blue colors, which signifies loyalty and protection among members. Entry into the gang involves a violent initiation ritual called a “bounce,” where the recruit must fight two members. Additionally, Los Celos members identify each other through specific handshakes, tattoos, and code words like ’45’ to express solidarity. The segment concludes with an account of escalating violence and chaos in 1993 as gang wars between Los Celos and other groups intensified.
00:30:00
In this segment, the conflict between Los Celitos and the Latin Kings in Hartford intensifies after P Santana, a high-ranking member of Los Celitos, is killed for having an affair with the Latin Kings president’s girlfriend. Santana’s death leads to a declaration of war by Los Celitos’ leader, Jorge Rivera. Violence erupts in the city as Los Celitos retaliate, targeting Latin Kings and causing chaos. The police struggle to contain the situation, eventually calling for backup from state and other local police agencies. The violence peaks over Thanksgiving weekend with several drive-by murders, including a 17-year-old innocent bystander. Despite police efforts to arrest gang members, the violence continues due to the gang’s resources for bail and legal defenses. Los Celitos’ public face, Smurf, becomes a target after a Latin King threatens his daughter. The conflict escalates to national attention, prompting the city to request federal intervention. The FBI, DEA, and ATF join forces with local authorities to build a RICO case against Los Celitos, utilizing warrants, wiretaps, and surveillance to prove the gang’s criminal activities.
00:35:00
In this part of the video, the tragic story of Marcelina’s death is recounted. Her family’s car was mistakenly targeted by gang members, resulting in a stray bullet hitting Marcelina, ultimately leading to her death. This incident sparked public outrage, leading to increased federal investigations and the use of wiretaps against Los Solidos leaders. Consequently, over 50 gang members were charged with crimes ranging from narcotics to racketeering throughout 1994-1996. Key leaders, including the gang president Jorge Pino Rivera, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Despite significant crackdowns, many imprisoned gang members are now being paroled, posing a renewed threat of gang activity and potential conflicts with rival gangs like the Latin Kings. The segment underscores the persistence of street gangs and their adaptability, indicating that law enforcement continually faces challenges in curbing gang resurgence.
00:40:00
In this segment of the video, authorities discuss the need for police to adapt their tactics due to gangs becoming more discreet. Some former gang members, like Pee’s brother WKA and Big Bird, have left gang life, seeking new purposes such as family and education. Smurf, another ex-member, has dedicated himself to violence prevention and mentoring at-risk youth after his prison stint. Despite leaving the gang officially, he finds it difficult to escape his past entirely, especially after the murder of his brother Ephron by another gang member. This loss and the ongoing gang violence emphasize the seemingly inescapable cycle of crime and death within the gang.