Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
Christian Hoffman, Special Agent, Media Relations-Public Information from the Los Angeles Field Division of ATF gave an informative presentation regarding what goes on behind the scenes to keep the public safe and to fight crime. Christian has been in law enforcement for 16 years as a police officer and with the ATF. Five years in undercover work, putting himself in harms way to get the necessary intelligence to apprehend some of the most dangerous criminals. Known as the "crazy long haired white guy" he infultrated gangs such as the 18th Street gang in Southwest Los Angeles, Hells Angels, Mongols and Peckerwoods in San Diego.
Founded in 1972, there are only 2500 agents in the U.S. with five of them in the Los Angeles Field Division. Christian says that money rules in crime and greed is often the undoing of a criminal.
Los Angeles Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user RodneyRamsey
Welcome to ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division. From California’s Central Coast, extending south to the Mexican border, we cover the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Imperial. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.
The men and women of ATF Los Angeles are committed to reducing violent crime in our communities. ATF accomplishes this by identifying and targeting specific criminal organizations and the persons responsible for perpetrating violence in our communities. Some of our more notable gang investigations have been the Mongols motorcycle gang, Rancho San Pedro gang, Rollin 30s Crips, Bounty Hunter Bloods, Florencia 13 street gangs, Mexican mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood prison gangs.
ATF Los Angeles is also very proactive in investigating violations of federal law pertaining to arson and explosives. To this end, ATF works closely with local fire departments and police bomb squads. Recently ATF participated in the investigations involving the Hollywood arsonist and the Escondido bomb house and was instrumental in the recovery of evidence that led to the criminal procedures to both of the individuals involved.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industry. Our goal is to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner according to law. In Los Angeles this extends to Hollywood, where filmmakers use firearms and explosives in movie productions.
ATF Los Angeles was the first field division to host a citizen academy for the public to get an inside look at agency. This unique training promotes a more informed community through education about ATF’s mission, regulatory and technical capabilities, and our role in reducing violent crime by enforcing federal firearms, explosive, arson and tobacco laws.
We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. Give us a call and let us know what we can do for you. Our phone number is (818) 265-2500.