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Oakland Gang Injunction Hearings Drag On

OAKLAND (KCBS) - Officials at Oakland's City Attorney's office claim lawyers for alleged gang members are purposely dragging out court hearings on a proposed gang injunction, to make it more expensive.

Last October Oakland City Attorney John Russo filed a proposed injunction against members of the Norteno gang in the Fruitvale area.

As the hearings have dragged on through several days, both sides are bickering about how long the process is taking.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

The injunction would prevent 40 suspected gang members from associating with one another in a 450 square-block radius and would also place a 10 p.m. curfew on them.

Critics and opponents of the injunction have said the language is overly broad and would lead to racial profiling.

Defense attorney Dennis Cunningham said the spending of "scarce funds" amounts to political grandstanding.

"The whole thing is extremely expensive. I can't imagine why the city thinks it's a good idea," he said.

Cunningham added the city is trying to make it look like they're doing something about the gangs when they really don't have a clue what to do about it.

Alameda Superior Court Judge Robert Freeman has more hearings scheduled for later this week.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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