Vice: One Cop's Story of Patrolling America's Most Dangerous City

A. Yes. I lived and worked in Compton in the 1970s, and much of what Baker saw I also saw, though he saw much more than I did. Q. What was your occupation at that time? A. I taught math at Dominguez High on the far east side which, as Baker points out, was the last bastion of white flight. Few whites were left at Dominguez by that time, a couple of dozen at the most. I knew very little about the west side gangs, except what I heard from the students. Actually, I ended up marrying one of my former students, and we lived for a time in a house we bought on Elizabeth Street, just south of Alondra. We were an interracial couple but had no special problems in the neighborhood. Our house was broken into but after we put bars on the windows, that stopped. Q. So you would recommend that others read this book, in general, or would it mostly appeal to people who know Compton or know police work? A. I think it would appeal to a general readership. Baker and his co-author make the story very readable and intriguing throughout. There is much tragedy, some humor, some dark humor, some sexual exploits, but Baker is quite honest about how the Compton Police Department necessarily had their own rules during his many years there. They really had no choice, since the entire department consisted of about 130 officers, whereas the size of the city was expanding and the gangs were growing exponentially, along with the crime. Q. So what did you come away with after finishing the book? A. Rick Baker is a man who found his niche and stayed with it, even though his life might have been easier elsewhere. He was suited to be a cop in Compton in all respects, since he grew up there, spoke Spanish, and believed in justice "Compton Style," which was a requirement. He survived in a treacherous environment and I'm sure the people of Compton, whether they knew him or not, appreciated his efforts. It's good that the co-author helped him bring his stories together in this book, for the benefit of the reading public. The book is well worth reading.

I have 2 granddaughter's that are from Victor Granado, whom is Victor Granados' (John Wayne from Cv3 gang) oldest son. They didnt get to meet there grandfather but at least there's a book that they can read about once they get older. John Wayne was one hell of a guy everyone in the hood loved him. He was always full of life. Missing my older homie RIP JOHN WAYNE

Personal views aside... I would have liked to have seen the writer focus more on the discussing the gangs and the changing demographics affected social interactions within the communities; in particular the school's and the jails as well as personal relationships, influence, power and territorial expansion.