Gang Task Force Hits the Streets

In a recent article in the Mid-County Post, I wrote about the formation of an ad hoc countywide.
Gang Task Force to address growing community concerns about gang violence throughout the county.
Recent stories in the media highlighted a variety of gang stabbings and shootings. To react swiftly to
community fears, local law enforcement agencies formed the task force swiftly. This task force was
a natural outgrowth of designated officers and investigators that were sharing information already
about county gang activities. This approach was the most logical since gang members in one community
or neighborhood will sometimes commit violent acts in another area without concern about jurisdictional lines.
Although all agencies have been involved in the gang meetings, staffing concerns has not allowed all
agencies to fully participate to date. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Cruz Police,
Watsonville Police, District Attorney’s Office, and Probation Department have been the main contributors
of officers to the task force for street crimes enforcement purposes. These officers patrol areas known
for gang activity.

Violent gang activity tends to run in this county in cycles. An increase in gang activity usually comes
about for a variety of reasons. A gang leader that is released from jail/prison will try to reassert their
authority which causes reactions within the gang or rival gangs. There may be a perceived threat from
one gang invading the “territory” of another gang. There may be retaliation for an assault by one gang
member against a rival gang member or associate. It may also result from a dispute over the control
of an area for drug sales. In any event, gang violence can come about suddenly. The California Department
of Justice reported that gang-related homicides have plateaued in California over the last couple of years.
In 2004, there were 698 homicides attributed to gangs statewide.

Since the recent inception of the joint agency gang task force, there has been a marked decrease in gang
activity in some areas. Assaults, fights, robberies, weapons violations, and some drug sales have been
slowed due to the task force’s presence in neighborhoods throughout the county and cities. In one month,
the task force arrested 41 individuals, issued citations to another 22 persons, and contacted 339 persons
of which 166 were identified as gang members or associates. In addition, 8 weapons were confiscated.
The Sheriff’s Office alone has contributed over 250 staff hours towards task force activities. Of particular
note was one contact made by task force officers where a self-admitted gang member was determined
to be 12 years old. He was in the company of older gang members. Some of the individuals arrested
were not gang members but were caught engaged in criminal activity during the gang task force’s patrol
of various areas.

The District Attorney’s Office is a valuable partner in the anti-gang efforts with full commitment from
District Attorney Bob Lee. His office has D.A. Investigators assigned to the task force and attorneys
dedicated to gang prosecutions. California law allows for sentencing enhancements (up to 3 years)
if a felony crime is committed by a gang member.

I hope this information demonstrates local law enforcement’s commitment to keep our communities
safe from the violent acts and other crimes perpetuated by criminal street gangs.