What do you think is the best way to eradicate gangs in Costa Mesa?
We will win the war on gangs in Costa Mesa with a multi-pronged attack that will require a great degree of interagency cooperation and resolve.
First and foremost, a strong message that Costa Mesa has zero tolerance for gangs must be communicated loud and clear. This includes not only local gang members but also those who may visit from other areas.
The zero-tolerance message must be backed up by tough enforcement and prosecution of gang members and their affiliates. Essentially, gang members must be made to understand that they will be under constant scrutiny.
Gang injunctions may be useful, and the so-called stay-away orders being enacted by Los Angeles to combat gangs would be a very good idea. These orders are a condition of probation and forbid gang members to be in a certain neighborhood after release from jail, thus disabling members ability to pick up where they left off.
We are fortunate that we have a great Police Department, a proactive new chief, a knowledgeable anti-gang unit keeping tabs on gang activity, and cooperative ties to other local agencies. Through communication, policy and material support, the council can work with the Costa Mesa Police Department to defeat the scourge of street gangs.
ERIC BEVER
Costa Mesa city councilman
"Education and prevention play a vital role in keeping young people away from the trap of gangs and gang-related violence," U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales said in his remarks about the White House Task Force on Disadvantaged Youth. From the top cop, Gonzales, to Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, down to our local Costa Mesa Police Department gang experts, all believe that the only real way to eradicate gangs in our communities is to employ a two-pronged strategy: enforcement and intervention.
The suppression of gang activity by means of aggressive enforcement is essential. More gang officers, more enforcement tools, more monitoring of gang members.
But enforcement only reacts to the problem. To eradicate gangs we must get to the roots, or the "farm." We must develop and maintain intervention strategies to interrupt the recruitment of new pre-teen to mid-teen gang members, and encourage existing gang members to leave the gangs for positive alternatives.
