"cuidadores permanentes" in a gang context?

Question

¡Hola a todos! // Hi all! Hoy estaba leyendo un artículo sobre el sexoservicio en Juárez y encontré algo que hace sentido en español pero no puedo adivinar cómo puedo traducirlo. // I was reading an article on prostitution and came across something that makes perfect sense in spanish but I can't for the life of me come up with an English equivalent.

(Bolded is what I'm having trouble with)

"Detrás de este actividad existe una banda organizada que tiene cuidadores permanentes, porque cuando se realizaba la investigación siguieron a los analistas y los amenazaron para que no siguieran haciendo preguntas."

"Behind this activity, there is an organized gang that has permanent/dedicated caregivers, because when the study began, they followed analysts and, attempting to stop analysts from questioning the workers, threatened them."

I seriously doubt "caregivers" is the right word here. Anyone care to shed some light? // ¿Alguien puede ayudarme?

¡¡Muchísimas gracias!!

Hi and welcome to the forum. - francobollo, Oct 29, 2012

Great question! "que no tiene sentido en español"... Good job! - francobollo, Oct 29, 2012

Answer 1

Vigilantes permanentes. Vigilar means to watch in Spanish.

Note: Do not confuse it with the English meaning of the word Vigilante: A member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority,

Gracias! The article was in Spanish, and used "cuidadores." I know the sense, but do you think there's any better translation than "caregiver"? I don't think "guard" conveys the right meaning either... - Sharstar25, Oct 29, 2012

How about permanent watchmen or watchdogs? - francobollo, Oct 29, 2012

That would work! ¡Muchísimas gracias! - Sharstar25, Oct 29, 2012

Answer 2

Cuidadores Permanentes in a gang context in Mexico would be "Halcones" (Hawks), "Los Halcones" are the ones always informing to their superiors what happens around the city, neighborhood, etc.

That makes perfect sense! In English, would you just say "the Hawks" and give a footnote explaining? - Sharstar25, Oct 29, 2012