SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — The Sunnyside City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss, and maybe implement, a few steps in tackling the city’s violent crime problem.
Council members will talk about and possibly take action toward hiring temporary police officers, adding more clerical help in the Police Department and purchasing a second license plate reader for police vehicles among other proposals.
City leaders have taken a get-tough attitude about gangs after several shootings this year. A trio of councilmen —Don Vlieger, Paul Garcia and Mike Farmer — have been compiling a list of potential changes with the help of Sunnyside Police Chief Ed Radder and Deputy Chief Phil Schenck.
“We’re going to get very aggressive,” said Vlieger, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy. “This is not a place where you want to be a gang member.”
Last week, monday, april 12 the City Council unanimously approved spending up to $72,000 on a K-9 program for the Police Department.
Also, though it won’t be ready for a council decision Tuesday, Schenck has been drafting a proposed crime-free housing ordinance that would regulate tenant-landlord agreements.
The meeting will be 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Sunnyside Law and Justice Center, 401 Home St.
— Ross Courtney
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/04/16/sunnyside-council-meets-tuesday-to-tackle-gang-violence
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Yakima City Council targets gangs
YAKIMA, Wash. — Gang houses and other problem properties could face stiff fines and extra scrutiny from police under a proposal being considered by the Yakima City Council.
The council held a study session Tuesday morning to consider how to deal with chronic nuisance properties. Members agreed to hold a public hearing soon to gather comments.
City Attorney Jeff Cutter presented the council with a draft ordinance modeled after one recently approved in Seattle.
Although much of the discussion focused on the proposed law’s application to gangs, Cutter said the standards could be applied to other locations “that are magnets for criminal activity or at least involve a lot of response from the police department.”
Nuisance properties would be defined as locations that yield three or more serious police calls within a two-month period or at least seven within a year.
Nuisance activity would be defined as violent crimes, drive-by shootings, prostitution and drug activity, among other examples.
The proposal would cover some of the same ground as legislation put forward this year by state Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima. That measure failed to make it through the Senate over concerns about possible racial profiling and questions about whether parents would be unfairly forced out of their homes because of their children’s activity.
As originally introduced, House Bill 2414 would have classified criminal gang activity as a nuisance and provided a process for neighbors, a public agency or anyone within a one-block radius of a known gang hangout to file legal action to stop the activity.
The American Civil Liberties Union has also expressed concern about whether the Seattle ordinance is too broad, according to a memo from Cutter to the council.
City officials said the proposed ordinance would focus on calls or activity committed at a particular address, rather than criminal activity by residents there.
Police have already identified more than a dozen properties that may qualify for extra enforcement because of gang problems.
But deputy chief Kelly Rosenow and other city staff emphasized that the ordinance would have to be carefully managed and would require significant staff time.
“It’s going to take a lot of work on our part, but we also know we have to do something to take back our neighborhoods,” Rosenow told the council.
Direct expenses would be limited to mostly title searches, about $350 apiece, to verify ownership of a targeted property and mailing of notices.
Property owners would have 30 days to begin fixing issues identified by police — cleaning up the site or evicting tenants, for example — or they could be fined $500 a day. If the case made it to court, they could face a fine up to $25,000.
If the targeted location is a business, the ordinance allows the city to withdraw a business license or decline to renew it.
The council voted 7-0 to move the matter to a public hearing, with a vote on whether to approve the ordinance expected to follow. The date for the hearing has not been set.
Councilwoman Maureen Adkison said Yakima’s work on a nuisance ordinance may help push the Legislature to approve a similar statewide law.
“I think this shows that the city of Yakima is not going to roll over, that we are willing to do something on our own,” she said.
• Mark Morey can be reached at 509-577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/30/yakima-council-targets-gangs-with-proposed-ordinance
The council held a study session Tuesday morning to consider how to deal with chronic nuisance properties. Members agreed to hold a public hearing soon to gather comments.
City Attorney Jeff Cutter presented the council with a draft ordinance modeled after one recently approved in Seattle.
Although much of the discussion focused on the proposed law’s application to gangs, Cutter said the standards could be applied to other locations “that are magnets for criminal activity or at least involve a lot of response from the police department.”
Nuisance properties would be defined as locations that yield three or more serious police calls within a two-month period or at least seven within a year.
Nuisance activity would be defined as violent crimes, drive-by shootings, prostitution and drug activity, among other examples.
The proposal would cover some of the same ground as legislation put forward this year by state Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima. That measure failed to make it through the Senate over concerns about possible racial profiling and questions about whether parents would be unfairly forced out of their homes because of their children’s activity.
As originally introduced, House Bill 2414 would have classified criminal gang activity as a nuisance and provided a process for neighbors, a public agency or anyone within a one-block radius of a known gang hangout to file legal action to stop the activity.
The American Civil Liberties Union has also expressed concern about whether the Seattle ordinance is too broad, according to a memo from Cutter to the council.
City officials said the proposed ordinance would focus on calls or activity committed at a particular address, rather than criminal activity by residents there.
Police have already identified more than a dozen properties that may qualify for extra enforcement because of gang problems.
But deputy chief Kelly Rosenow and other city staff emphasized that the ordinance would have to be carefully managed and would require significant staff time.
“It’s going to take a lot of work on our part, but we also know we have to do something to take back our neighborhoods,” Rosenow told the council.
Direct expenses would be limited to mostly title searches, about $350 apiece, to verify ownership of a targeted property and mailing of notices.
Property owners would have 30 days to begin fixing issues identified by police — cleaning up the site or evicting tenants, for example — or they could be fined $500 a day. If the case made it to court, they could face a fine up to $25,000.
If the targeted location is a business, the ordinance allows the city to withdraw a business license or decline to renew it.
The council voted 7-0 to move the matter to a public hearing, with a vote on whether to approve the ordinance expected to follow. The date for the hearing has not been set.
Councilwoman Maureen Adkison said Yakima’s work on a nuisance ordinance may help push the Legislature to approve a similar statewide law.
“I think this shows that the city of Yakima is not going to roll over, that we are willing to do something on our own,” she said.
• Mark Morey can be reached at 509-577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/30/yakima-council-targets-gangs-with-proposed-ordinance
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
YHR editorial:Local bills are a first step toward combatting gang violence
This editorial appears in the Jan. 26, 2010, Yakima Herald-Repubiic.
State lawmakers recently got a taste of what too many Yakima Valley residents have been living with for years: the tyranny of gang violence.
At a public hearing to discuss two proposed measures to clamp down on gang activity, several Yakima Valley residents offered compelling testimony about the terror and fear that fill their lives due to the flagrant acts of gun-toting gang members. A high school student told lawmakers about crawling along the floor of her family home in Yakima as gunshots reverberated outside during a shootout between rival gangs. A mother spoke of the tragic death of her 18-year-old son who fell victim to a gang member's bullet in 2008. Her son, the epitome of an innocent victim, never knew the thug who shot him.
Then there was Yakima City Councilwoman Maureen Adkison urging lawmakers to step forward and help cities such as Yakima deal with these dangerous gang members who terrorize neighborhoods.
"Our community has pretty much had it," she said.
That's why it's important lawmakers not only listen to Yakima Valley residents, but also take action. The two bills, which were the focus of the recent hearing in Olympia, extend the authority of forfeiture-of-property statutes and public nuisance laws associated with illegal drug dealing to criminal gang activity. The two bills are sponsored by Reps. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, and Charles Ross, R-Naches, and enjoy widespread bipartisan backing.
HB 2413 permits civil forfeiture of property if the building or personal property is used in any way to further criminal street gang activity. This activity covers a wide area of misdeeds, from helping to promote the prestige of a gang to exacting revenge and intimidating witnesses who may testify against certain gang members.
And because it's a civil action, a criminal conviction is not required before authorities can seize property. There are also safeguards in the bill to protect ownership rights by requiring hearings before the chief law enforcement officer of the department that seizes the property or an administrative law judge if it's a state agency.
The other bill, HB 2414, creates a criminal street gang-activity nuisance law. If a neighbor lives within a block of a building or apartment unit where gang activity is going on, that neighbor can file a nuisance complaint with law enforcement. After a police investigation determines it's a valid complaint, the matter goes to a Superior Court judge, who holds a hearing. Again, if evidence shows the gang activity has an "adverse effect" on the neighborhood, the judge can order removal of personal property and shut down the building or apartment unit for up to one year.
Opponents of these measures argue they offer only punitive action and do not get at the root of the problem with gangs -- that being poverty, lack of opportunities and drug addiction.
But those are intractable problems that take years to address. Neighborhoods trapped in the vice grip of gang violence can't wait that long. They need tough action now to blunt gang violence, and the two measures sponsored by our 14th District lawmakers provide a means to that end.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
State lawmakers recently got a taste of what too many Yakima Valley residents have been living with for years: the tyranny of gang violence.
At a public hearing to discuss two proposed measures to clamp down on gang activity, several Yakima Valley residents offered compelling testimony about the terror and fear that fill their lives due to the flagrant acts of gun-toting gang members. A high school student told lawmakers about crawling along the floor of her family home in Yakima as gunshots reverberated outside during a shootout between rival gangs. A mother spoke of the tragic death of her 18-year-old son who fell victim to a gang member's bullet in 2008. Her son, the epitome of an innocent victim, never knew the thug who shot him.
Then there was Yakima City Councilwoman Maureen Adkison urging lawmakers to step forward and help cities such as Yakima deal with these dangerous gang members who terrorize neighborhoods.
"Our community has pretty much had it," she said.
That's why it's important lawmakers not only listen to Yakima Valley residents, but also take action. The two bills, which were the focus of the recent hearing in Olympia, extend the authority of forfeiture-of-property statutes and public nuisance laws associated with illegal drug dealing to criminal gang activity. The two bills are sponsored by Reps. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, and Charles Ross, R-Naches, and enjoy widespread bipartisan backing.
HB 2413 permits civil forfeiture of property if the building or personal property is used in any way to further criminal street gang activity. This activity covers a wide area of misdeeds, from helping to promote the prestige of a gang to exacting revenge and intimidating witnesses who may testify against certain gang members.
And because it's a civil action, a criminal conviction is not required before authorities can seize property. There are also safeguards in the bill to protect ownership rights by requiring hearings before the chief law enforcement officer of the department that seizes the property or an administrative law judge if it's a state agency.
The other bill, HB 2414, creates a criminal street gang-activity nuisance law. If a neighbor lives within a block of a building or apartment unit where gang activity is going on, that neighbor can file a nuisance complaint with law enforcement. After a police investigation determines it's a valid complaint, the matter goes to a Superior Court judge, who holds a hearing. Again, if evidence shows the gang activity has an "adverse effect" on the neighborhood, the judge can order removal of personal property and shut down the building or apartment unit for up to one year.
Opponents of these measures argue they offer only punitive action and do not get at the root of the problem with gangs -- that being poverty, lack of opportunities and drug addiction.
But those are intractable problems that take years to address. Neighborhoods trapped in the vice grip of gang violence can't wait that long. They need tough action now to blunt gang violence, and the two measures sponsored by our 14th District lawmakers provide a means to that end.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Yakima County Gang Commission- Ganging up on Gangs
It may take a village to raise a child. But when it comes to putting a lid on gang violence, it's going to take more than one.
That's the goal of the recently announced Yakima County Gang Commission. Its expressed goal is laudable: To create a safe and prosperous county by banding residents together in a coordinated effort to reduce gang violence.
The commission is the brainchild of county Commissioner Kevin Bouchey and has the full backing of Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin and Prosecuting Attorney James Hagarty. The commission now wants to gather the support of the county's 14 cities and towns.
The commission's logic is irresistible.
Too often, a town or city will become a battleground where warring gang members leave in their wake death and graffiti. Residents become alarmed and charge ahead with a laundry list of ideas: build a youth center, develop block watch programs, add extra law enforcement officers. But soon, the enthusiasm wanes. Volunteers become tired or distracted. Applications for grants go unanswered. Attitudes of despair and defeat creep in.
If the commission has its way, this scenario would be a thing of the past.
Mirrored after a successful anti-gang program in San Diego, Yakima County's commission would develop, among others, these initiatives:
* Set up a directory of resources, agencies and community programs that are aimed at preventing gang violence.
* Create a Web site, including an interactive database, to help communities track current gang trends. The site would allow people to download pictures of graffiti and share other information.
* Promote best and most promising practices that communities are using to fight the spread of gangs.
* Offer technical assistance and training to residents and organizations.
In addition to providing a clearinghouse for information and practical gang-prevention methods, the commission also wants to increase the success rate for securing grant money from both public and private sources. Too often, cities like Sunnyside, Toppenish and Grandview, which all have active anti-gang programs, compete against each other when seeking funds to fight gangs.
Under the commission's auspices, that task would be coordinated and the chances for success greatly enhanced -- at least in theory. Already a $500,000 federal grant has been approved to help in the commission's efforts.
Without question, gang violence has taken root in the Yakima Valley. Last year, at least eight of the county's more than two dozen homicides were traced to gang involvement. With 2,500 gang members identified in the county, the commission clearly has its work cut out.
That's why cities and towns should support the commission. The task of preventing gang violence requires many hands and constant vigilance. No village can win this fight alone.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/15/ganging-up-on-gangs-get-on-board
That's the goal of the recently announced Yakima County Gang Commission. Its expressed goal is laudable: To create a safe and prosperous county by banding residents together in a coordinated effort to reduce gang violence.
The commission is the brainchild of county Commissioner Kevin Bouchey and has the full backing of Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin and Prosecuting Attorney James Hagarty. The commission now wants to gather the support of the county's 14 cities and towns.
The commission's logic is irresistible.
Too often, a town or city will become a battleground where warring gang members leave in their wake death and graffiti. Residents become alarmed and charge ahead with a laundry list of ideas: build a youth center, develop block watch programs, add extra law enforcement officers. But soon, the enthusiasm wanes. Volunteers become tired or distracted. Applications for grants go unanswered. Attitudes of despair and defeat creep in.
If the commission has its way, this scenario would be a thing of the past.
Mirrored after a successful anti-gang program in San Diego, Yakima County's commission would develop, among others, these initiatives:
* Set up a directory of resources, agencies and community programs that are aimed at preventing gang violence.
* Create a Web site, including an interactive database, to help communities track current gang trends. The site would allow people to download pictures of graffiti and share other information.
* Promote best and most promising practices that communities are using to fight the spread of gangs.
* Offer technical assistance and training to residents and organizations.
In addition to providing a clearinghouse for information and practical gang-prevention methods, the commission also wants to increase the success rate for securing grant money from both public and private sources. Too often, cities like Sunnyside, Toppenish and Grandview, which all have active anti-gang programs, compete against each other when seeking funds to fight gangs.
Under the commission's auspices, that task would be coordinated and the chances for success greatly enhanced -- at least in theory. Already a $500,000 federal grant has been approved to help in the commission's efforts.
Without question, gang violence has taken root in the Yakima Valley. Last year, at least eight of the county's more than two dozen homicides were traced to gang involvement. With 2,500 gang members identified in the county, the commission clearly has its work cut out.
That's why cities and towns should support the commission. The task of preventing gang violence requires many hands and constant vigilance. No village can win this fight alone.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/15/ganging-up-on-gangs-get-on-board
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
New legislation to seize gang property?
Houses, cars and other assets used to support criminal gang activity could be seized by law enforcement, forfeited and sold under legislation proposed by Reps. Norm Johnson and Charles Ross.
Johnson pre-filed House Bill 2413 for introduction in the coming January legislative session after seeing gang violence in the Yakima area escalate to troubling proportions.
"Several homicides this year in our area are gang related. We've had shootings near schools, and gang violence is becoming rampant in some smaller, outlying communities. Law enforcement is very concerned, as well as local law-abiding citizens," said Johnson, R-Yakima.
"We are determined to make it very difficult for gangs to spread this plague into our neighborhoods. The legislation we propose will hit gangs where it hurts the most -- in the pocketbook. They stand to lose their most prized possessions if they engage in criminal activity."
The legislation is patterned after a drug asset seizure law, which allows law enforcement to legally confiscate and take possession of houses, cars, cash and other properties that have been proven to be involved in drug-related crimes.
Ninety percent of the proceeds from the assets would be retained by the seizing police agency exclusively for the expansion and improvement of criminal street gang-related law enforcement. The other 10 percent would be retained by the state.
"We are going to continue what we started with the gang legislation in 2007," said Ross, R-Naches. "The spread of gangs is like the spread of wildfire: we must find ways to shut off the supply to the growth. While this is not an easy battle, I believe we must do everything we can to end criminal activities and the spread of fear throughout our communities."
Another piece of legislation, House Bill 2414, would classify criminal gang activity as a nuisance and provide a process for neighbors or anyone within a one-block radius to file legal action to stop that activity.
"This legislation essentially empowers neighbors who are bothered by nearby criminal gangs to formally file a complaint and sign an affidavit outlining the suspected activity," said Johnson. "From there, law enforcement is mandated to investigate. This may follow with a court injunction, restraining orders, a search of the property, and other means to eliminate this nuisance, including possible arrests.
"If gang members are feeling the pressure of the community, the heat of law enforcement, and a strong possibility they will lose everything they own, they may think twice about continuing their involvement in these crimes."
Ross said it is amazing to him what neighbors and friends can accomplish when they stand up against gangs together.
"This legislation gives people a voice when they might otherwise be afraid, and encourages them to work with law enforcement to stop gang activities as they happen."
Both bills have bipartisan support with Republican and Democrat co-sponsors.
Locally, Sunnyside police think the bill is a step in the right direction.
Sunnyside Police Chief Ed Radder told the Daily Sun News the bill will put more teeth in gang laws. He said criminal gang members don't mind doing 30, 60 or even 90 days in jail, but do mind when their ill-gotten gains are taken from them.
"It has incredible potential," Radder said. "It could have positive impact on crime."
Radder added that there are lots of checks and balances before any property can just be seized.
Another boon would be the added money for criminal investigations. Currently, any money made on items seized in a drug crime is spent only on drug investigations. The same rule would apply here.
"It's shown to work in the drug world," Radder said. "I see no reason why it can't work in the gang world."
Johnson pre-filed House Bill 2413 for introduction in the coming January legislative session after seeing gang violence in the Yakima area escalate to troubling proportions.
"Several homicides this year in our area are gang related. We've had shootings near schools, and gang violence is becoming rampant in some smaller, outlying communities. Law enforcement is very concerned, as well as local law-abiding citizens," said Johnson, R-Yakima.
"We are determined to make it very difficult for gangs to spread this plague into our neighborhoods. The legislation we propose will hit gangs where it hurts the most -- in the pocketbook. They stand to lose their most prized possessions if they engage in criminal activity."
The legislation is patterned after a drug asset seizure law, which allows law enforcement to legally confiscate and take possession of houses, cars, cash and other properties that have been proven to be involved in drug-related crimes.
Ninety percent of the proceeds from the assets would be retained by the seizing police agency exclusively for the expansion and improvement of criminal street gang-related law enforcement. The other 10 percent would be retained by the state.
"We are going to continue what we started with the gang legislation in 2007," said Ross, R-Naches. "The spread of gangs is like the spread of wildfire: we must find ways to shut off the supply to the growth. While this is not an easy battle, I believe we must do everything we can to end criminal activities and the spread of fear throughout our communities."
Another piece of legislation, House Bill 2414, would classify criminal gang activity as a nuisance and provide a process for neighbors or anyone within a one-block radius to file legal action to stop that activity.
"This legislation essentially empowers neighbors who are bothered by nearby criminal gangs to formally file a complaint and sign an affidavit outlining the suspected activity," said Johnson. "From there, law enforcement is mandated to investigate. This may follow with a court injunction, restraining orders, a search of the property, and other means to eliminate this nuisance, including possible arrests.
"If gang members are feeling the pressure of the community, the heat of law enforcement, and a strong possibility they will lose everything they own, they may think twice about continuing their involvement in these crimes."
Ross said it is amazing to him what neighbors and friends can accomplish when they stand up against gangs together.
"This legislation gives people a voice when they might otherwise be afraid, and encourages them to work with law enforcement to stop gang activities as they happen."
Both bills have bipartisan support with Republican and Democrat co-sponsors.
Locally, Sunnyside police think the bill is a step in the right direction.
Sunnyside Police Chief Ed Radder told the Daily Sun News the bill will put more teeth in gang laws. He said criminal gang members don't mind doing 30, 60 or even 90 days in jail, but do mind when their ill-gotten gains are taken from them.
"It has incredible potential," Radder said. "It could have positive impact on crime."
Radder added that there are lots of checks and balances before any property can just be seized.
Another boon would be the added money for criminal investigations. Currently, any money made on items seized in a drug crime is spent only on drug investigations. The same rule would apply here.
"It's shown to work in the drug world," Radder said. "I see no reason why it can't work in the gang world."
Sunday, December 13, 2009
"Zone Defense" may be employed against gangs
SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- As lunch ends at Sunnyside High School, police descend on four teenagers standing outside an apartment complex about two blocks from the school.
The apartment manager who called police says he doesn't want them there.
The teenagers tell officers they're waiting for someone; two are known gang members displaying gang colors.
Ordering them out of the area, Sunnyside Police give the teenagers written notice that they'll be arrested for trespassing if they return.
Without a complaint from the apartment manager, police would not have been able to break up the group unless a crime had been committed.
School officials statewide hope to change that by getting legislation passed that establishes "safety zones" around public schools to prohibit gang activity.
Under the proposed law, anyone displaying colors, flashing gang signs or believed to be involved in criminal activity could be removed from areas within 1,000 feet of public schools without probable cause. If they return before being allowed back into the area, they would be subject to a civil injunction and could be arrested for trespass, a gross misdemeanor.
The proposed safety zones law is outlined in a recent 67-page report by the Gangs in Schools Task Force commissioned by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The report also calls for information sharing among school districts about students who are gang members, and additional school funding for prevention and intervention programs.
Law enforcement officials have expressed strong support for civil injunctions, and two years ago, state Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, tried to get them approved in legislation as another tool for police to use against gangs.
But the provision was removed by Democratic lawmakers who worried that the injunctions would result in racial stereotyping.
Supporters are hoping a renewed push for civil injunctions -- one that would include political backing from school districts and educators -- will be more successful. Their proposal is to use the injunctions in more limited areas near school campuses.
It's just one piece of a larger solution needed to combat a growing gang problem, said state Attorney General Rob McKenna. He's working with the Gangs in Schools Task Force to draft legislation.
"We're seeing many instances of one teenager shooting and killing another teenager, and that has changed from what we were seeing in the late 1980s and 1990s," McKenna said. "The violence is so much more obvious."
In Yakima County alone, at least eight of the nearly two dozen homicides so far in 2009 have been gang related. And shootings were dangerously close to schools twice this year in Yakima.
On Dec. 3, a 19-year-old gang member was injured when rival gang members fired more than a dozen shots in the 200 block of South Naches Avenue, where students were walking home from Washington Middle School.
And on Oct. 28, a 22-year-old man was injured in a drive-by shooting near Davis High School just as students were leaving campus.
********
A2008 state Department of Health survey -- the Healthy Youth Survey -- found that the number of high school students admitting involvement in a gang has doubled since 2002, surging from nearly 5 percent to 10 percent of the students surveyed.
Beginning in sixth grade, students are surveyed every two years. In the 2008 survey, 30,346 of the state's 46,416 students in grades six, eight, 10 and 12 participated.
In Yakima County, 594 students admitted gang membership -- 7.7 percent of the 7,638 students surveyed in grades eight, 10 and 12.
The survey also found that gang membership peaks in 10th grade, mirroring national statistics, and drops off after that.
Many students who are connected to gangs drop out or are kicked out of school by the time they reach their senior year, said Tyson Vogeler, program supervisor for school safety with the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
No one knows just how many students in public schools are involved in gangs statewide because there is no way to track them all.
"It's a huge issue, and when you're looking for numbers, they're hard to come by," Vogeler said.
The Gangs in Schools Task Force, composed of school officials, law enforcement and crime prevention representatives, was created as the result of a bill approved by state lawmakers in 2007. Its mission was to assess how gangs are affecting schools in Washington and to propose solutions.
McKenna and others believe that one potential strategy for combating gang membership may lie in California, where civil injunctions have been used by schools and law enforcement since 1994.
Authorities in Los Angeles say civil injunctions there have created a safer environment for students walking to and from school.
Studies show crime has dropped anywhere from 5 percent to 40 percent in the 41 safety zones covering roughly 100 square miles of the 500-square-mile city, said Bruce Riordan, chief of the gang division for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.
Civil injunctions there identify specific gangs and gang members to be excluded from areas, and they help police quickly gain control of an area when gang violence touches off, he said.
"When you have the injunction in place, police can get out immediately and enforce the injunction, quiet the neighborhood and stop the retaliation," he said.
In Washington state, enforcement of gang-free safety zones would rest on school officials and police, including student resource officers, which many schools have.
There would be both verbal and written warnings issued, depending on the level of situation, said Vogeler, who worked on the task force and proposal.
A verbal notice would exclude a person from the area for 24 hours, while a written warning would bar them for up to a year. Notices would be subject to appeal.
********
School officials and law enforcement officers say they see it often: Gang members hanging out across the street from schools and in nearby parks where students walk to and from school.
The gang task force commissioned by OSPI heard a common complaint from school officials: gangs reaching into their campuses to recruit members, said Randy Town, school safety coordinator for Education Service District 105 in Yakima.
"We've got gang houses across from schools intimidating kids," said Town, co-chairman of the gang task force that produced the report. "So we wanted to empower schools against this activity."
Although the proposed law wouldn't force any gang members to move, it could be used to keep them from bothering others in streets and on sidewalks, he said.
"I'm all for it," said Toppenish School District Assistant Superintendent John Cerna. "The farther we can keep those undesirables away, the better, because what's happening is they are waiting for our kids after school, recruiting."
Gang culture has not only overrun many neighborhoods in the Yakima Valley, it has caused even good kids with bright academic futures to get sucked into gangs, said Yakima School District Safety and Security Director Lee Maras.
For some students, it's not so much a desire to join as it is a desire to survive.
"I've had more than a few kids tell me that 'if I don't act like I'm part of this, then I'm going to get hurt,'" said Maras, also principal of McKinley Elementary School in Yakima. "I can't tell you how many times I've had parents say, 'I can't keep my kids home at night.' They're staying out all night and they're only 10 years old."
Sunnyside High School Student Resource Officer Joey Glossen said breaking up the group of teenagers at the apartments not far from the high school on Dec. 3 may have quashed recruitment efforts or a clash with rival gang members. He hasn't seen those teenagers in the area since police warned them away.
"I know that at least one of those four kids is not a gang member," he said. "But he's hanging out with them, and that concerns me."
********
A legislative bill has yet to be drafted on the safety zone, but lawmakers are interested.
"If it will create a safer environment for students at schools, I'm all for that," said Ross, who has been a leading advocate of anti-gang legislation. "I think we need to investigate and go forward with it."
Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union said they'd oppose any law that excludes anyone from any area without probable cause.
ACLU spokesman Doug Honig in Seattle said a law excluding a certain group of people from a public place without good reason would violate constitutional rights.
The civil liberties group would be concerned about a law that targets "not just how someone may look or speculation of what someone might do," he said.
Town, ESD 105's safety coordinator, countered that the proposed law would specifically target activity, such as any gang activity that may interfere with students or disrupt school operations.
"We realize that this may potentially be challenged by other legal authorities, but we are ready to jump in with other legal authorities and create the legal language until this meets constitutional muster," he said. "California had been challenged and had to retool bills to meet constitutional muster."
In Olympia, legislation for civil injunctions may depend on Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, who added an amendment stripping the language from the bill Ross co-sponsored in 2008. She told colleagues that civil injunction laws in California had led to racial and ethnic harassment rather than a decline in gang activity.
"This gave the opportunity for rounding up people with brown skin like mine," said Prentice, who is Latino. "This is just a reaction to our own failure (as a society). ..."
While it's not known how receptive lawmakers might be to the idea of safety zones near schools, they'll be wary of any legislation that comes with a price tag given the state's budget problems.
The task force says there would be no direct cost to implement safety zones, but they would likely seek funding to create prevention and intervention programs in schools.
Ross is still trying to get money for that 2008 gang bill, which was ultimately signed into law. The legislation he co-sponsored with Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, also called for community intervention programs. The money was never allocated.
Something has to be done to put a lid on the gang problem in the state, said Ross, a member of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
"I hope at the end of the legislative cycle, the Legislature as a whole does not use the budget as an excuse to not do something," he said.
* Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/13/zone-defense-could-stop-gangs-at-yakima-valley-high-schools
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Yakima to receive $500,000 for anti-gang effort
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yakima County would receive a half-million dollars to fight gang problems under a final spending bill expected to be signed by President Barack Obama, Sen. Patty Murray announced Wednesday.
The money would go toward a multi-agency effort to turn kids away from gangs or keep them from joining. The initiative would include police, schools and social service agencies.
In a statement released by the Washington Democrat’s office, Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin credited voters with approving a sales tax to support law enforcement efforts across the county.
“Unfortunately, given the rapid increase in gang-related crime and violence, we need more assistance in the areas of gang prevention, intervention and suppression,” Irwin said. “We believe we need state and federal assistance in meeting this incredible challenge to our community.”
It’s unclear when the Senate and House will send the bill to the president for his consideration.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/09/yakima-county-in-line-for-500-000-in-gang-prevention-funding
The money would go toward a multi-agency effort to turn kids away from gangs or keep them from joining. The initiative would include police, schools and social service agencies.
In a statement released by the Washington Democrat’s office, Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin credited voters with approving a sales tax to support law enforcement efforts across the county.
“Unfortunately, given the rapid increase in gang-related crime and violence, we need more assistance in the areas of gang prevention, intervention and suppression,” Irwin said. “We believe we need state and federal assistance in meeting this incredible challenge to our community.”
It’s unclear when the Senate and House will send the bill to the president for his consideration.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/09/yakima-county-in-line-for-500-000-in-gang-prevention-funding
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Yakima to push gang-free intiative
YAKIMA, Wash. -- At her last meeting as a member of the Yakima City Council, Sonia Rodriguez got a shout-out from the fire chief and saw her fellow council members agree to continue working on a gang-free initiative she proposed.
"This is a real opportunity for our city to be pro-active in prevention and intervention," Rodriguez said at Tuesday night's meeting.
There was consensus that those two approaches are as important as law enforcement efforts to suppress gang crime.
Mayor Dave Edler made reference to two recent gang-related shootings, one on Halloween night and another on Oct. 28 near Davis High School, and said, "It's time for us as a City Council to take a firm, direct step" in dealing with gang activity.
The steps Rodriguez outlined in presenting her initiative to the council's Public Safety Committee last week include implementing effective strategies to keep kids from joining gangs; establishing direct communication with residents of affected neighborhoods, not just holding community forums; and setting out specific timelines and measurable benchmarks to provide accountability.
The initiative -- described as a long-term, comprehensive action plan -- would be based on a model from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, a program within the U.S. Justice Department.
In council's discussion of the proposed initiative, Councilman Bill Lover said there should be a study session of the full council that would allow the public to have a say in developing a plan.
Councilwoman Kathy Coffey suggested that city staff could start developing the framework for a program based on the federal model and using elements of other cities' successful anti-gang efforts, tailored to the needs of Yakima. The council would receive regular updates, as well as holding its own study session. Then, when the plan is complete, the council would decide whether the city has a qualified staff person to carry it out or if someone should be hired for that job.
All council members voted in favor of that approach.
Luz Bazán Gutiérrez, a community activist and member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, sounded a cautionary note, saying council members should do an assessment of what results came from previous gang prevention efforts.
"What has the money been used for, and what happened?" she said.
Earlier in the meeting, Yakima fire Chief Charlie Hines presented a fire helmet with her name on it to Rodriguez, who had supported training more city firefighters as paramedics, a contentious issue for the city.
"We want to thank her for all she has done, both for the city and the fire department," Hines said, standing at the podium just a few feet in front of Dave Ettl, who defeated Rodriguez in the recent election and will replace her at the next council meeting.
"This is a real opportunity for our city to be pro-active in prevention and intervention," Rodriguez said at Tuesday night's meeting.
There was consensus that those two approaches are as important as law enforcement efforts to suppress gang crime.
Mayor Dave Edler made reference to two recent gang-related shootings, one on Halloween night and another on Oct. 28 near Davis High School, and said, "It's time for us as a City Council to take a firm, direct step" in dealing with gang activity.
The steps Rodriguez outlined in presenting her initiative to the council's Public Safety Committee last week include implementing effective strategies to keep kids from joining gangs; establishing direct communication with residents of affected neighborhoods, not just holding community forums; and setting out specific timelines and measurable benchmarks to provide accountability.
The initiative -- described as a long-term, comprehensive action plan -- would be based on a model from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, a program within the U.S. Justice Department.
In council's discussion of the proposed initiative, Councilman Bill Lover said there should be a study session of the full council that would allow the public to have a say in developing a plan.
Councilwoman Kathy Coffey suggested that city staff could start developing the framework for a program based on the federal model and using elements of other cities' successful anti-gang efforts, tailored to the needs of Yakima. The council would receive regular updates, as well as holding its own study session. Then, when the plan is complete, the council would decide whether the city has a qualified staff person to carry it out or if someone should be hired for that job.
All council members voted in favor of that approach.
Luz Bazán Gutiérrez, a community activist and member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, sounded a cautionary note, saying council members should do an assessment of what results came from previous gang prevention efforts.
"What has the money been used for, and what happened?" she said.
Earlier in the meeting, Yakima fire Chief Charlie Hines presented a fire helmet with her name on it to Rodriguez, who had supported training more city firefighters as paramedics, a contentious issue for the city.
"We want to thank her for all she has done, both for the city and the fire department," Hines said, standing at the podium just a few feet in front of Dave Ettl, who defeated Rodriguez in the recent election and will replace her at the next council meeting.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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
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
YAKIMA: Gang Town Hall Meeting
Where does the growing gang problem in our state stand? How do we make it stop? Those are the questions raised Tuesday night.
The crowd of more than 200 people came to find out more about the growing gang problem we're seeing. The town hall, put on by public television stations KYVE and KCTS, brought in prosecuting attorneys, local law enforcement, and people affected by gangs. "Before it gets too out of control, it'd be nice to step in and try to find some alternatives for kids," Lisa Schmitt gave as her reason for attending.
People like the ones that gathered that night are big part of the solution. Experts on the panel said one of the ways to solve the problem is to take the glamor out of gangs through family and community support of our youth. The town hall show will air throughout the state starting within the next few weeks.
http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/65128777.html
The crowd of more than 200 people came to find out more about the growing gang problem we're seeing. The town hall, put on by public television stations KYVE and KCTS, brought in prosecuting attorneys, local law enforcement, and people affected by gangs. "Before it gets too out of control, it'd be nice to step in and try to find some alternatives for kids," Lisa Schmitt gave as her reason for attending.
People like the ones that gathered that night are big part of the solution. Experts on the panel said one of the ways to solve the problem is to take the glamor out of gangs through family and community support of our youth. The town hall show will air throughout the state starting within the next few weeks.
http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/65128777.html
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Toppenish group says get tough on gangs
TOPPENISH, Wash. -- A group wanting to rid the city of gang violence called for drastic changes in laws dealing with such crime when it met with state lawmakers during a Tuesday night forum.
A crowd of more than 50 filed into the Toppenish High School performing arts hall, voicing concern about
gangs in this rural town of 9,140 people, where drive-by shootings occur at least twice a month.
City Council members, school officials, police and officials with the state Department of Social and Health Services also attended.
Having state lawmakers along with officials from various agencies attend shows the group, Community Safety Network, is gaining traction, said group leader Simon Sampson.
"It's coming together," he said. "We just need to keep getting people involved."
Gang violence last Sunday left a 20-year-old man injured in a drive-by shooting in the 500 block of East First Avenue. And last month, gang members fired a dozen shots into an upstairs apartment on F Street, striking a pregnant woman twice in the torso. Her injuries were not life-threatening and her unborn child was not struck.
In March, a drive-by shooting near where the railroad tracks intersect with Buena Way left two young men dead.
Police have documented more than 250 gang members in the city on the Yakama reservation, but many of them are from other areas.
Group members handed state Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, and state Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, a list of proposed laws clamping down on gang violence.
A crowd of more than 50 filed into the Toppenish High School performing arts hall, voicing concern about
gangs in this rural town of 9,140 people, where drive-by shootings occur at least twice a month.
City Council members, school officials, police and officials with the state Department of Social and Health Services also attended.
Having state lawmakers along with officials from various agencies attend shows the group, Community Safety Network, is gaining traction, said group leader Simon Sampson.
"It's coming together," he said. "We just need to keep getting people involved."
Gang violence last Sunday left a 20-year-old man injured in a drive-by shooting in the 500 block of East First Avenue. And last month, gang members fired a dozen shots into an upstairs apartment on F Street, striking a pregnant woman twice in the torso. Her injuries were not life-threatening and her unborn child was not struck.
In March, a drive-by shooting near where the railroad tracks intersect with Buena Way left two young men dead.
Police have documented more than 250 gang members in the city on the Yakama reservation, but many of them are from other areas.
Group members handed state Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, and state Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, a list of proposed laws clamping down on gang violence.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Gang Violence Plagues Washington Cities
By Mark Knapp
The City of Yakima has been experiencing an upsurge of gang related shootings. The Yakima City Council has called a special meeting for 1 p.m. Friday to discuss how to deal with a recent flare-up in gang violence. Several innocent victims have been wounded by stray rounds.
Some authorities refer to the shootings as a “state of emergency” for the city. Police Chief Sam Granato said gang members are becoming more aggressive in opening fire on one another. Eighteen people have been shot in Yakima since early May. One shooting occurred on August 2nd. Police officers responded to a report of gunshots early Sunday- the fourth reported gang shooting in 72 hours!
Police say they found 23 shell casings in the roadway. Officers also responded to the area near Domino's Pizza at Sixth and Union streets in reference to a 28 year-old male who had what appeared to be “a bullet hole in the back of his neck. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting appears to be gang-related as the the shooters asked the victim is he was a gang member before they began shooting, police said.
Many folks in Yakima are concerned that these problems could result in inadvertently harassment of citizens legally wearing weapons for protection against predatory criminals in and around Yakima, an area known for cartel activities and drugs. Gun activists and other concerned citizens have been contacting the city council and other city officials to ask questions. The answers to many of their questions have not been forthcoming. Sometimes it almost seems like certain politicians regard the taxpayers as more threatening than some of the worst thugs on the streets. Ironically, many of the taxpayers feel that way toward elected officials.
Most law enforcement officers that we have talked to in Yakima, Federal Way and even places like Seattle and Tacoma are very comfortable with armed citizens that follow the rules. The trouble is that many LEOs are reluctant to publically tell the politicians what most LEOs know, that honest citizens that wear guns are a deterrent to criminals and make law enforcement easier! We will continue observing Yakima and reporting new developments. Our goal is to inform the politicians that have not already gotten the message- the voters are fed up with violence in the streets and want our leaders to take a stand.
Yakima does not need city council members attending more meetings to identify the problem. The predominant message from the residents of Yakima seems to be, "Let law enforcement do its job and start taking action to get the gang members off the streets."
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Yakima in Gang Crisis
YAKIMA -- City leaders are calling the gang violence upswing a crisis in Yakima, and may soon declare a state of emergency. We've been bringing you video from various shootings the last few days. Now, some feel the city needs an immediate change before worse happens.
Gang related shootings have been steady lately. You may remember footage of the double shooting that happened Monday night. That had Action News questioning residents on national night out. "Do you feel safe in your own neighborhood?" we asked. "Usually I don't go out that much. I try to keep the kids more inside," Norma Valencia said. "It's getting too much," William Bailey added. He said he was nearly tazered by a teen Monday night. Rayna Thimsen is taking extra safety precaution. "When I come to this park I do not come by myself. I always have someone."
It's a problem council members call a crisis. "I do believe when you have a shooting and that level of violence, it seems like every day in our city, that we must consider that a crisis," Council Member, Sonia Rodriguez told us.
They believe national night out will re-group neighborhoods against gang violence. The city hopes the event will help with crime prevention. But they say more still needs to be done.
"We're going to put a lot of bodies behind this," Yakima Police Chief, Sam Granato started, "It might even be as much as 100% of our staff on weekend nights." Police have already been given the go-ahead to start re-focusing their staff against gang activity within budget. Soon, the city might declare a state of emergency. "We're going to respond accordingly. We're not going to take this stuff anymore and the gang members are going to have to start looking over their shoulders for police units that are going to be looking at them," Granato said.
They're looking at the legality of a few things they would do under the declaration. The ideas: divert more officers to gang crime, create check points throughout the city, increase overtime, and cancel some scheduled vacations. "To make our community safe, to address this problem, we do need some sort of immediate response. It's just going to continue to grow," Rodriguez fears. But so will the action against gang violence.
Council members plan to call a special meeting within the next week to find out what they can do and what money they may be able to pull together to better fund police actions against gang violence.
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