Gang member first convicted under city’s injunction policy
By: Will Reisman
Examiner Staff Writer
February 4, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — A 22-year-old gang member with a violent criminal background became the first person convicted by the District Attorney’s Office for violating The City’s controversial injunction.
Henry Hernandez, a member of the Nortenos, was arrested Dec. 19 for congregating at the intersection of 24th and York streets, an area off-limits to gang members due to the injunction.
On Monday, Hernandez was convicted after a two-week trial, and faces up to six months in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 23.
Starting in 2006, City Attorney Dennis Herrera established gang injunctions in the Western Addition, Bayview-Hunters Point and Mission neighborhoods to create safety zones in violent areas. The plan has been criticized by some for pushing violence to neighboring communities that are not protected by injunctions.
Hernandez was placed on the injunction list in June 2007 by the City Attorney’s Office, which noted that he had a tattoo of the number 21 on his body — a street sign for Nortenos members. The gang is largely Hispanic with roots in Northern California.
Hernandez has a lengthy rap sheet, according to court documents. He has been arrested on suspicion of vandalism and possession of a controlled substance, after police allegedly found him with individually wrapped bags of what they believed to be crack-cocaine.
In December, police spotted him hanging out with a group who had open beer containers and appeared to be smoking marijuana. Hernandez attempted to walk away, but after police called him back he admitted to being on the injunction list.
