LAPD officers to ride in pairs after Baltimore police warn of gang threat

1/89

Church members sing and pray at the Southern Baptist Church with pastor Dr. Donte L. Hickman Sr., (not pictured) two days after Baltimore authorities released a report on the death of Freddie Gray on May 3, 2015 in Baltimore. Maryland Gov., Larry Hogan called for a statewide “Day of Prayer and Peace” on Sunday. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

2/89

Church members pray at the Southern Baptist Church with pastor Dr. Donte L. Hickman Sr. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

3/89

LaToyia Glover, left, embraces Hughetta Whitaker during a service at Southern Baptist Church on Sunday in Baltimore. A nearby senior center being built by the church was burned during the riots following Freddie Gray’s funeral. (David Goldman / AP)

4/89

A woman is loaded into the back of a van after being arrested for violating a 10 p.m. curfew Saturday in Baltimore.

(David Goldman / Associated Press)

5/89

Police pour water over the face of a man after he was arrested and hit with pepper spray as police enforced a 10 p.m. curfew Saturday in Baltimore.

(David Goldman / Associated Press)

6/89

Police carry a man after he was arrested and hit with pepper spray as officers enforced a 10 p.m. curfew Saturday in Baltimore.

(David Goldman / Associated Press)

7/89

At the CVS corner, satisfaction breaks out with the news of charges filed against the police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. Glass artist Loring Cornish, 33, celebrates as police stand by.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

8/89

People at a CVS corner in Baltimore react to news of charges filed against the police officers in the Freddie Gray death as members of the National Guard drive through the area. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

9/89

A crowd celebrates upon news of charges filed against the police officers involved in Freddie Gray’s death. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

10/89

News of charges filed against the police officers in Freddie Gray’s death is greeted with satisfaction among a crowd gather at a CVS corner. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

11/89

State troopers assemble at a CVS corner in Baltimore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

12/89

Police gather at a CVS corner in Baltimore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

13/89

A crowd cheers news of charges filed against the police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

14/89

A woman and her child stand at the corner in Baltimore where a heavy police and National Guard presence was in place. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

15/89

Adrian Roberson, right, celebrates as the Rev. Pamela Coleman, left, speaks on Friday, after State’s Atty. Marilyn J. Mosby announced criminal charges against all six officers suspended after Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody in Baltimore. (David Goldman / Associated Press)

16/89

Ronte Jenkins, right, a lifelong friend of Freddie Gray, hugs a friend at the site of Gray’s arrest in Baltimore, after the announcement of charges against the police officers involved in Gray’s arrest. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

17/89

Police and National Guard mobilize in riot gear at Pennsylvania Avenue and West North Avenue in Baltimore. (John Taggart / EPA)

18/89

Dominique Cunningham celebrates after State’s Atty. Marilyn J. Mosby announced criminal charges against all six officers suspended after Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody in Baltimore. (David Goldman / Associated Press)

19/89

The Rev. Pamela Coleman, center, speaks on a city bus just after State’s Atty. Marilyn J. Mosby announced criminal charges against all six officers suspended after Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody in Baltimore. (David Goldman / Associated Press)

20/89

A passing motorist celebrates on Friday after State’s Atty. Marilyn J. Mosby announced criminal charges against all six officers suspended after Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody in Baltimore. (David Goldman / Associated Press)

21/89

Community and religious leaders in Baltimore at the end of a prayer lunch and discussion regarding actions to promote reform and stop police abuse after the death of Freddie Gray.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

22/89

Gwen Carr, right, mother of Eric Garner, who was killed by a New York City police officer last year, attends a prayer lunch and community meeting in Baltimore.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

23/89

The Rev. Al Sharpton leads a prayer lunch in Baltimore.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

24/89

Police presence remains high on the streets of Baltimore.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

25/89

National Guard troops deploy outside Baltimore City Hall, where people protested the mayor’s handling of recent events. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

26/89

Outside Baltimore City Hall, protesters gather to denounce municipal officials. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

27/89

A member of the National Guard monitors morning activity in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area on April 29.

(Mark Makela / Getty Images)

28/89

Riot police shields lay on a concrete bench in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area on April 29.

(Mark Makela / Getty Images)

29/89

Police enforce a 10 p.m. citywide curfew near the CVS pharmacy that was set on fire during rioting the night before. (Andrew Burton / Getty Images)

30/89

A protester throws a tear gas canister back toward riot police after a 10 p.m. curfew went into effect. (David Goldman / Associated Press)

31/89

A motorcycle group, including this man, formed a line in front of Baltimore riot police the night after citywide riots over the death of Freddie Gray. (Mark Makela / Getty Images)

32/89

A woman runs for safety as police throw tear gas canisters while enforcing curfew. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

33/89

Police attempt to disperse a group of media members and civilians after bottles and fireworks were thrown after the 10 p.m. curfew. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

34/89

Protesters attempt to retrieve a tear gas canister to hurl it back at police. (David Goldman / Associated Press)

35/89

Two protesters sit in front of riot police minutes before a citywide curfew took effect. (Andrew Burton / Getty Images)

36/89

Protesters gather near riot police shortly before curfew. (Andrew Burton / Getty Images)

37/89

Members of the Prince George’s County, Md., police force stand guard as curfew approaches in Baltimore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

38/89

A man stands in front of a line of police officers in riot gear ahead of a 10 p.m. curfew on Tuesday in Baltimore. (David Goldman / Associated Press )

39/89

Baltimore police clear the intersection of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue to extract someone requiring medical attention two hours before curfew is to take effect. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

40/89

Baltimore police officers gather at the intersection of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

41/89

A National Guardsman stands watch in downtown Baltimore outside the Harborplace mall. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

42/89

Prestis Vinson plays the saxophone in front of Simmons Memorial Baptist Church, where a sign expresses support for Freddie Gray’s family. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

43/89

Baltimore police officers maintain a presence as people gather at the intersection of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

44/89

Jayden Thorpe, 5, came with his mother to watch what was happening at West North and Pennsylvania avenues in Baltimore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

45/89

Baltimore police arrest a man during a demonstration. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

46/89

Community residents help clean up the CVS store that was looted and burned the night before in Baltimore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

47/89

Volunteers help clean up the vandalized CVS store. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

48/89

Rumeal Mosley takes part in a show of support for Freddie Gray at the intersection of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

49/89

National Guard soldiers stand guard in downtown Baltimore outside the Harborplace mall. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

50/89

A man on a bicycle greets Maryland state troopers April 28 in the aftermath of rioting in Baltimore following the funeral for Freddie Gray.

(Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

51/89

Members of the community clean up debris from a CVS pharmacy that was set on fire Monday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. (Andrew Burton / Getty Images)

52/89

Jason Park, left, and his friend business owner Sung Kang leave his damaged store on Tuesday in the aftermath of rioting following Monday’s funeral for Freddie Gray.

(Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

53/89

Residents clean the streets April 28 as law enforcement officers stand guard in Baltimore in the aftermath of rioting following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody.

(Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

54/89

Two cars burn at an intersection near New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. (Andrew Burton / Getty Images)

55/89

A police officer walks by a blaze. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

56/89

The Family of Freddie Gray, who died after a fatal injury in police custody, pray inside a church after a news conference in Baltimore on Monday. (John Taggart / EPA)

57/89

A police officer stands guard. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

58/89

Firefighters battle a three-alarm blaze at a senior living facility under construction at Federal and Chester streets in East Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun)

59/89

Looting and rioting broke out at North and Pennsylvania avenues, where a CVS drugstore was set on fire. (Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun)

60/89

A fire burns at Chester and Gay streets after protesters clashed with police. (Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun)

61/89

Firefighters battle a blaze after rioters set cars and buildings on fire. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

62/89

Firefighters battle a blaze. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

63/89

A man walks past a burning police vehicle during unrest after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

64/89

Police move a protester back. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

65/89

A Maryland Transit Authority patrol car burns at North and Pennsylvania avenues during the riots. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun)

66/89

A woman faces down a line of Baltimore police officers in riot gear. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

67/89

A man carries items from a store as police vehicles burn after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on Monday. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

68/89

Baltimore police officers carry an injured officer as they clash with protesters in the streets near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore. Violent street clashes erupted Monday after friends and family gathered for the funeral of Freddie Gray. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)

69/89

Protesters taunt police on Monday as demonstrations over the death of Freddie Gray continue in Baltimore. (Michael Reynolds / EPA)

70/89

Youths taunt police in Baltimore on Monday, the day of Freddie Gray’s funeral. (Michael Reynolds / EPA)

71/89

A Baltimore police officer throws a rock back at protesters outside the Mondawmin Mall after the funeral of Freddie Gray on Monday. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

72/89

Shown is a Baltimore police car that was damaged Monday during a protest over the death of Freddie Gray. (Noah Scialom / EPA)

73/89

Demonstrators block a damaged bus at Baltimore’s Mondawmin Mall during a protest Monday over the death of Freddie Gray. (Noah Scialom / EPA)

74/89

Baltimore police on Monday put out a fire caused by a teargas canister during protests over the death of Freddie Gray. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)

75/89

Baltimore police officer push back protesters near Mowdamin Mall in Baltimore.

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

76/89

Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts chases away protesters in a parking lot near Mowdamin Mall.

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

77/89

Baltimore police officers walk in formation near Mowdamin Mall.

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

78/89

A Baltimore police officer checks on a man who was injured near Mondawmin Mall during a protest following Freddie Gray’s funeral.

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

79/89

Baltimore police officers chase protesters near Mondawmin Mall.

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

80/89

Baltimore police officers in riot gear push protesters back near Mondawmin Mall.

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

81/89

A demonstrator taunts police as they respond to thrown objects after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.

(Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

82/89

A Baltimore police officer aims pepper spray at demonstrators after the funeral of Freddie Gray on Monday. Gray, 25, died April 19 after suffering a fatal spinal injury while in police custody.

(Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

83/89

Demonstrators throw rocks at police after the funeral of Freddie Gray.

(Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

84/89

Baltimore police officers push back demonstrators, some of whom were throwing rocks, after the funeral for Freddie Gray.

(Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

85/89

Friends and relatives say their last goodbyes to Freddie Gray during a graveside service on Monday at the Woodland Cemetery in Baltimore. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

86/89

A mourner kisses Freddie Gray’s casket before placing a rose on it at Gray’s burial Monday in Baltimore. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

87/89

Pallbearers guide a casket containing the body of Freddie Gray out of New Shiloh Baptist Church after his funeral Monday in Baltimore. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

88/89

Mourners embrace at the casket of Freddie Gray before his funeral Monday in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

89/89

William Murphy speaks at Freddie Gray’s funeral Monday in Baltimore. (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

By Richard WintonStaff Writer

April 27, 2015 3:15 PM PT

The Los Angeles Police Department ordered officers Monday to ride in pairs while in cars after Baltimore police received what they considered a “credible threat” against all law enforcement officers.

The so-called Blue Alert went out to officers nationwide and was passed on to LAPD officers after Baltimore police warned law enforcement agencies across the country that they had gathered intelligence about a “credible threat” by the Black Guerilla family, Crips and Bloods to “take out” law enforcement officers.

Most Los Angeles police officers on patrol already ride with a partner, but the directive ensures that everyone does.

The information was relayed amid escalated tension between police and demonstrators protesting the death of Freddie Gray, a Baltimore man who suffered a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody. Some marches have turned violent, and several officers have been injured.

The notice came as Gray’s funeral took place. He died April 19, a week after his arrest.

Follow Southern California crime @lacrimes.