Ventura County launches new effort to track gangs
Ventura County launches new effort to track gangs
Prompted by rising gang crime in unincorporated areas, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved creation of a special sheriff's gang patrol.
The detail of two deputies, a senior deputy and a sergeant will track gang activity in the Ojai Valley, Fillmore and unincorporated communities near Ventura and Santa Paula at an annual cost of $792,000.
Sheriff's officials estimate there are more than 500 active gang members and 11 active gangs in the targeted areas, contributing to an increase in violent assaults, robberies and graffiti.
This year, three people were fatally shot in Saticoy, all by suspected gang members, authorities said. There have been several other shootings and beatings tied to gangs in the El Rio, Saticoy and Ojai areas, they said.
The board's unanimous support for the gang detail comes three years after Sheriff Bob Brooks disbanded a similar countywide unit to save money.
Revenues have rebounded enough to begin rebuilding the detail, though it will be smaller and will focus exclusively on gangs, said Sheriff's Chief Deputy Geoff Dean. Oxnard and other large cities have their own gang enforcement units, he said.
Several supervisors said residents have complained about a rise in gang graffiti on neighborhood walls, highway signs and even agricultural netting. Supervisor Steve Bennett said a similar gang unit has curbed violence in Ventura.
"People say everyone knows who the gang members are, but building a case takes a while," Bennett said. "I saw it work very effectively in Ventura."
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Comments (5)
Speaking of graffiti, a tagger hit the Ojai gateway sign at the "Y" with a big red slash. Anyone know what the cost/process of the clean-up is?
Comment #1 Posted by: Tyler | December 21, 2006 12:34 PM
I'm sure it was just an oversight, but the above post by Raymond was written by By Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer.
See LA Times.
Comment #2 Posted by: Kenley Neufeld | December 21, 2006 04:54 PM
Bet we could clean up alot of graffiti for $792,000 a year. Maybe even throw in a mural competition and a couple of scholarships.
Comment #3 Posted by: Anonymous | December 21, 2006 06:50 PM
Yes, apologies. It was an oversight that I left out the byline.
Comment #4 Posted by: Raymond | December 21, 2006 08:29 PM
i like what Anonymous has to say. it reminds me that this is a $792,000/yr BAND-AID. yet again, as with so many other programs and "actions" (including war) it's an after-the-fact "solution" that doesnt address the root problems. heaven forbid we should put money, energy, and resources into discovering WHY kids participate in gang activity and what alternatives we can create for them...let's just bust the little fuckers when they do.
Comment #5 Posted by: evan | December 23, 2006 06:54 PM