'This is not us against them'

( Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times / February 22, 2013 )

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, second from right, speaks with moderator Skipp Townsend, standing, of the Southern California Cease Fire Committee, at a community forum. "This is not us against them," Townsend told the crowd. Townsend is a former gang banger who now works with the department in crime-prevention efforts. "We're going to be together, whether we like it or not," he said. "This is like a marriage."