The shooting in the opening of the episode takes place in MacArthur Park. Located at 6th and Alvarado just west of downtown LA, it was one of two parks laid out in the 1880's (the other being Eastlake, now Lincoln Park). Originally named Westlake Park, it was renamed for Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1942. In the years following its development, MacArthur Park, with its spring-fed lake and fountain, and surrounding neighborhood were known as the Champs Elysee of Los Angeles. The neighborhood slowly fell into decline, and in the 1980's was the center of considerable gang violence, with the lake a favored place to dispose of guns used in gang shootings. In recent years the community group Alliance: MacArthur Park has reclaimed the park, adding a surveillance system and restoring it to its former glory.
The subtext of the episode captures the tension between multi-generational Africa-Americans in Los Angeles and new immigrant groups, particularly from Asia and Central/South America, who reside or own businesses in traditionally black neighborhoods. The scene between Jesus (the Catorce Brenda questions) and Gabriel reflects this growing tension, particularly as Jesus taunts Gabriel with "we're taking over."
During his interrogation, Jesus tells Brenda he wasn't around at the time of one of the shootings because he was in "Wayside." He is referring to Wayside Honor Rancho in Santa Clarita, now part of the LA County Pitchess Detention Center.
The gang activity in this episode takes place in the LAPD Rampart Division, named for Rampart Blvd. which runs through the area. Among the more high-profile divisions in the LAPD, the Rampart Division oversees a community comprised largely of Mexican and Central American immigrants. The community's make-up, along with the large number of gangs in the area gave rise to a form of policing known as the "Rampart Way" which reflected practices in the home countries of the area citizenry. The Rampart Division became mired in scandal between 1997 and 1999 after a series of episodes of police misconduct lead to the prosecution of a number of its officers. The scandal so badly damaged the reputation of the LAPD it eventually lead to the dismissal of its then-Chief, Bernard Parks, after one term in office.
The Eastside Catorce (14) and LA Jokers gang names in this episode may be loosely based on real Hispanic sureños (gangs) in the area, many of which have names that include the number 13 or Loco/Crazy. Use of the number 13 does not derive from 13th Street, but rather from the 13th letter of the alphabet, M, for the Mexican mafia prison organization. Gang members are generally identified by highly districtive tattos which continue the 13 theme.