Inglewood Censures Agents’ Scare Tactics

In a symbolic move, the Inglewood City Council on Tuesday condemned the sales practices of area insurance agents who recently admitted to marketing life insurance policies by presenting residents with news clippings of drive-by shootings.

Councilman Jose Fernandez, himself an insurance agent, called the practice unethical and “extremely undesirable.” He called on the state Department of Insurance to investigate the practice.

Several insurance agents said in interviews earlier this month that they have capitalized on the rise in gang-related violence in the Los Angeles area by selling low-cost life insurance policies to residents.