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LA gang ‘peacemaker’ with lucrative taxpayer-funded contracts busted in alleged murder plot
Clifford “Skipp” Townsend, a prominent South Los Angeles gang interventionist, has been arrested with four others in an alleged murder plot. The case has drawn attention because Townsend co-founded 2nd Call, a nonprofit that brokers gang truces and has received substantial city contracts.
Townsend, 62, was arrested outside 2nd Call on Wednesday by Los Angeles police detectives. He and Shamond “Lil AD” Bennet are being held on $2 million bail, while the other three arrestees have bail set at $50,000. The nonprofit’s city contracts are worth nearly $700,000; police have not announced any link between the investigation and the fatal August shooting of 2nd Call worker Reginald Foreman.
In short
- Gang interventionist Clifford Townsend was arrested in an alleged murder plot.
- Four others were arrested; Townsend’s bail is set at $2 million.
- His nonprofit has nearly $700,000 in Los Angeles city contracts.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The arrest raises legitimate questions about whether a nonprofit entrusted with public money and community safety has adequate oversight, particularly given the serious allegation and the need to protect staff and residents. City officials may reasonably review its contracts and safeguards while the case proceeds, to ensure public funds are accountable and intervention work can continue safely.
The case against
An arrest and an alleged plot are not proof of guilt, so treating Townsend or 2nd Call as culpable before the evidence is tested risks undermining due process and unfairly damaging a community organisation. Its contracts support work that can reduce violence, and the reported facts establish no link between this investigation and the worker’s fatal shooting; any review should therefore avoid assuming misconduct or cutting off services without evidence.