Street Gangs of Los Angeles County, self-published by Mike Poirier in 1982, is a pocket-sized law-enforcement field reference produced specifically for gang identification work. Distributed directly by Poirier to law-enforcement agencies rather than through conventional retail channels, the booklet was intended for use by gang-unit officers during street contacts, field interviews, and identification operations.
The contents document active Los Angeles County gangs of the period, including their territories, names and abbreviations, street slang, and guidance for interpreting gang graffiti and other identifying markings. Its compact format allowed officers to carry it easily in the field, making it a practical working reference rather than a general-public publication.
This example shows substantial handling and field wear, consistent with an operational copy carried and consulted during service.
