“If I was a drug dealer and I didn’t want to be interfered with, I’d move to a city where I could exploit dysfunctional city governments, corrupt the police or be left alone in a neighborhood where people are not as active in monitoring their communities. That’s where I’d want my dope house.”

Those were the words of Los Angeles County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Cooley, a candidate for election as California’s Attorney General.   This comment and others appeared on August 13, 2010 in The Washington Times article headlined L.A. area is prime ground for gangs.  Cooley’s interview was a warning to all communities to not ignore the conditions that enable criminal gangs to thrive.  Take heed, Coeur d’Alene.