-SD- Barrios

Barrios of San Diego:

Barrios are those neighborhoods that have been traditionally dominated by Latino culture. The major concentration of these neighborhoods is within an area roughly seven miles north and south by five miles east and west in the southeastern part of San Diego. It is encompassed by Interstate 5 to the west, Highway 94 to the north, Highway 54 to the south, and Highway 124 to the east. Within this area, the neighborhoods hold a majority of San Diego’s Latino population that makes up over 25% of the city’s inhabitants. Spanish is almost as commonly spoken as English in these neighborhoods and people who are not Latino stand out to those who live and work there. Anyone thinking that they can casually stroll through the barrios learns quickly that outsiders are watched with a close eye.

Gangs control much of the area with a stubborn tenacity that frustrates the local law enforcement agencies. Those who are not known in the neighborhoods are labeled “forasteros” (outsiders) and find very few people willing to talk to them. Cops find themselves quickly put into this category and become quickly known to the local gangs. The revolving door of the justice system does little to stop the spread of vice and violence among the gangs, as well. Whenever a gang member is arrested and thrown in jail, two more seem to magically appear to take their place. Even behind bars, many of the gang members find ways of controlling their illegal operations from their jail cells.

[Thanks to player suggestion and write up]