INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE

Mexican American detectiveswhere tasked with stopping this epidemic of drug violence,and dealing with missing children.

One of the actors,Kenny Ruiz,explained how The Squad wasable to be so successful at the time,saying,"The Houston PD created an all Chicano Squad,who went into the communitiesand said,'We're not worried about your diplomatic statusor if you're here legally or not, but you came to America,you fought hard to be here and we want you to be safe while you are here.' So,thiswasthe reason alot of people weren't talking [because they were afraid they would be sent home for being illegal] and the Chicano Squad wasable to make history by breaking up child trafficking rings,drug rings,cartels. They did an amazing job."

Vasquez added,"There were these American detectiveswho solved crimes,but there were over 300 Spanish Speaking murdersand they did not solve any of them. [The Squad] solved 80% of the murders they were given."

He continued,"Thisisa Latino film.You've got Colombiansin them, Puerto Ricans. We have to grab our storiesand put them to the forefront and make them."

"TheSquad"TakesOver Moviesof Delray

By Rachel Galvin

Alarge crowd of cast,crew and fansof "The Squad:Rise of the Chicano Squad" assembled at Moviesof Delray in Delray Beach,FLon May 12 before the movie even began. The lobby became aseaof people talking amongst themselves,anxiousfor the much-talked about film directed by Juan Vasquez to begin.

The film wasbased on a true story of asquad that wasformed of Spanish Speaking detectivesin Houston starting in the late 1970sthat took on solving case after case when no one else could at a time when the Colombian Cocaine Cowboyshad taken over the area. These five

In the film,Vasquez showed how the group wasformed and the challenges they faced,while interjecting alot of humor and some over-the-top gun battlesthat kept the audience engaged. He also brought on board not only local South Floridatalent,but some heavy hitterslike actor Robert LaSardo.

Following the screening,some of the cast and crew spoke to the audience and host Nikko Capria stood out front of the theater and interviewed people about their thoughtson the movie. After posing on the red carpet,several people headed to the after party at the Hurricane Bar & Lounge in east Delray,where people could buy a drink,listen to live music and talk more about the film.