The Bird Rock Bandits

Seth Cravens of La Jolla, California was convicted for the death of professional surfer, Emery Kauanui on November 18th, 2008. Cravens, 23, was a member of a La Jolly Gang who called themselves “The Bird Rock Bandits” and was today sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. It looks like Cravens will have to continue his Bird Rock Bandit chapter in prison. But I’m not too sure if they will take him very seriously in there. He might be taken seriously for a good fudge packing if you know what I mean. “Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that the group’s behavior constituted a gang and had added gang allegations to the original charges. But Judge John S. Einhorn ruled that the alliance did not fit the definition of a gang under state law.” So John S. Einhorn, what exactly constitutes a gang? Are the Bird Rock Bandits not a “gang” because they’re name sounds more like a gay porno? Or is it because the Bird Rock Bandits don’t identify with a specific gang color making them neutral? I’ll just take a guess as to why they’re not considered a gang in your eyes. It’s probably because they don’t belong to a lower socio-economic bracket in our society considering after all, they do come from La Jolla. What would the rest of the world think if La Jolla was mentioned in the same breath as Watts or Boyle Heights? Honestly, I don’t think the rest of the world really cares. But you should call the Bird Rock Bandits for what they are. A group of low achievers who may be prone to violent or erratic behavior who through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage share a common identity.