Wanted: solutions to gang problems in the Yakima Valley

YAKIMA, Wash. -- More than 250 people filed into the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday night to hear about a problem that has reached into nearly every city in the state: gangs.

In an effort to mobilize communities to take a stand against a growing gang problem statewide, KYVE-TV Channel 47 brought cameras, producers and host Enrique Cerna to talk to law enforcement officials, lawmakers and the public about possible solutions.

The event , "Confronting Gang Violence: A Town Hall Discussion," will be televised at a later date. It drew the entire 15th Legislative District delegation, Yakima County commissioners and city officials from across the Yakima Valley.

Members of community groups mobilizing against gangs in Yakima, Toppenish and Sunnyside also were present.

As the Capitol Theatre became a studio for the broadcast, city leaders, lawmakers and law enforcement officials appeared to have left their titles at the door as they came together with a seemingly genuine interest to seek solutions.

A comment period was even open to engage the public.

"I'm heartened at the turnout," Cerna said, looking at the crowd. "Obviously, this is a concern of the community."

A spike in gang violence across the Yakima Valley this year has residents on edge and police trying to find resources to step up enforcement.

In Yakima County, at least seven of the 19 homicides this year are known to be gang-related. In Toppenish, drive-by shootings occur at least twice a month, and on March 5 one claimed the lives two young men.

Flanked by Yakima County Prosecutor Jim Hagarty and King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, Cerna asked about possible solutions and showed video clips of a former Los Angeles gang member who broke away from a gang, and a Toppenish family who lost their son in March to a gang shooting.

Hagarty admitted that the Yakima Valley per capita probably has the largest gang problem in the state, but it's something that everyone should be concerned about.

"The gangs are spreading and going into every area of the state," he said. "We're not alone."

Agreeing with Hagarty, Satterberg said he's seeing more teens committing violent crimes than ever.

Solutions ranged from devising community programs to steer youth away from gangs and reaching people in their homes to stiffening laws over juvenile crime.

One example of a flawed juvenile justice system is teenagers have to be caught carrying a gun several times before facing any stiff penalties, complained Satterberg.

"Then they shoot and kill someone, and then they're all of a sudden in adult court."

Former Tacoma gang member Marlin Henderson, 29, told the crowd why and how kids are getting guns.

"The problem for the kids is it becomes a source of power," he said of guns. "Kids get the gun at home, parents aren't supervising it very well, they steal it, sell it for $50 and then it's on the streets."

But locking everyone up isn't a single solution, he explained.

A taped interview told his story, how his parents were addicted to crack cocaine and how he was picked on for being a light-skinned black.

One day at age 12, his anger over his parents' drug use led him to beat up another boy. That's when gang life began for him.

He said it was the love of his wife and his grandmother's words telling him to pray that eventually began to pull him from a life of gangs.

He told prosecutors that former gang members who have changed their lives stand the best chance of reaching youth. Both prosecutors agreed that efforts need to be made on a community level, and gang awareness and intervention need to be brought into homes.

Hagarty told Henderson he appreciated hearing his first-hand experience and insight into possible solutions.

Satterberg then leaned to Hagarty and said: "You and I are not the best messengers."



* Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509--577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.



Gang forum televised

* "Confronting Gang Violence: A Town-Hall Discussion" airs on Oct. 29 at 7 and 10 p.m. on KYVE-TV Channel 47 and on KCTS 9 in Seattle.



Gang-related homicides in the Valley

Of Yakima County's 19 homicides so far this year, at least seven are considered gang-related homicides. Here is a list of those that police say are gang-related.

* Jan. 4 -- Jesus Tlaseca Sosa, 22, was shot to death by gang rivals at an AM/PM minimart in Sunnyside. Police later arrested suspect Oscar Torres, 25.

* March 5 -- Estevan Silva Jr., 17, and 20-year-old Israel Diaz were fatally shot in Toppenish by a gang rival. Days later, police arrested suspects Anthony Sanchez, 22, of Buena and his sister, Isabel Sanchez, 20, of Wapato.

* May 18 -- Leonardo A. Perez, 20, of Yakima is fatally shot somewhere around the 1000 block of North Fourth Street in Yakima. No one has been charged with his death.

* June 27 -- Oscar Garcia, 16, died 10 days after he was shot in the head in the 400 block of South Fourth Street in Yakima. Police said he was a known gang member. No arrests to date.

* Sept. 29 -- Yorbane Ortiz, 17, of Yakima is shot dead near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Willow Street about 9 p.m. A witness says a car pulled alongside Ortiz before shots were fired.

* Oct. 10 -- Nicholas J. Jimenez, 20, of Yakima was shot to death when someone opened fire on him and a 16-year-old former Yakima boy who were standing outside a house that hosted a party in the 700 block of North Fourth Avenue. Police say they were part of a group that gathered after the funeral of Yorbane Ortiz.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/10/20/wanted-solutions-to-gang-problems-in-the-yakima-valley