(Photo courtesy of the L.A. Times. Photo by Don Barletti)
“In response to an escalation of violence — including three shootings in a 24-hour period last month and an increase in arrests of gang members with guns — Santa Ana police have launched a three-day operation targeting gang members and encouraging residents to report crime in a 2-square-mile area southwest of the Civic Center,” according to the L.A. Times.
The L.A. Times also explained the scope of the operation, which “began early Tuesday with 62 officers in patrol cars and on motorcycles, who saturated the neighborhood bounded by 1st Street, Edinger Avenue, Bristol Street and the Santa Ana River. Officers walked crime-heavy neighborhoods to talk to residents and urge them to call if they spotted trouble. Probation officers and parole and immigration agents also patrolled the neighborhood.”
Take a look at the last part of that previous paragraph – SAPD officer spoke to residents and urged them to call the SAPD if they spot trouble – but the sweep included immigration agents. Talk about counter-intuitive! On the one hand you want folks to call the police, but on the other hand you bring “La Migra” on the sweep? Not good!
One of the community activists interviewed by the Times was Roman Reyna, who said “that although supportive of the police surge, he would like to see a long-term plan to address crime in the area.”
Reyna is correct about this – we all support going after the bad guys, but this sure looks like a political operation. Why didn’t the SAPD conduct this surge earlier this year? Why did they wait for 18 people to get shot?
I am told by city hall insiders that Councilwoman Michele Martinez spoke up at the last City Council meeting about gang violence. Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez then accused Martinez of leaking information to the gangs. And the next thing you know, the SAPD conducts a gang sweep and catches Martinez’ brother! Serendipity? Who knows? But Alvarez is probably ecstatic.
Back to Reyna’s point – does our city have a long-term plan to address crime in Santa Ana?
Take a look at the City’s police department website. I just did and I can’t find ANY information in Spanish! Maybe I am not looking hard enough?
“Police Cpl. Jose Gonzalez said that such unwillingness (to report crimes) was so endemic that the department decided to respond to the latest spate of violence by walking through several neighborhoods, telling residents that they can report crime anonymously and without fear,” according to the Times.
Maybe we need to make our police department more accessible? There are many who say that poor Latinos don’t have computers, but that is no longer the case. Many do. Working parents try to get computers for their kids, since we have only one library in town and it is hard to find businesses that provide rental computers with web access in most parts of our cities.
So having a Spanish language police page would be a start – in fact it would be great if Spanish speaking residents could anonymously email the department when they observe crimes. Folks are not taking a stand because they are AFRAID – and I can’t blame them.
The only Spanish language information I found on the City’s web page was a page with phone numbers to call. Contrast that with the City of Albuquerque, which found a cheap way to make their website available in Spanish – they provide a Google link that translates their City website automatically. Is it a great translation? No, but it is better than “nada.”
So can we get a handle on crime in Santa Ana? Yes. I suggest that we:
- Make information available in Spanish, including our City’s web page!
- Increase police presence in troubled areas – but put the police on foot, on bikes, etc., during the day time so that they are more approachable. And let’s get more police out on our streets at night, particularly in hot spots.
- Stop harassing young people just because of their looks. I have seen this happen right in front of me, over at Santiago Park.
- Invest in more public libraries and more youth programs, particularly during the Summer. And we need to translate our public library web page into Spanish too!
- Find a way to introduce more parks and open space in our city – yes we are fairly built up, but what we need is solutions, not excuses.
- Get the Artists Village involved – offer free basic introductory art classes to Santa Ana’s youth. Let’s get them to paint on canvases instead of spraying on our walls.
This police sweep took a few criminals off our streets. But in my opinion it was more about politics than about fighting crime. We need a long term plan and we need to understand that there is more to fighting crime than just engaging in police actions.
We need to fight crime in part by helping to keep our youth on the straight and narrow. We need a commitment from City Hall to more parks, more libraries and more youth programs. We can’t rely on reactive policing – we need to be proactive as a community and as a City. We CAN stop crime in Santa Ana – but we won’t accomplish that by doing business as usual. That hasn’t worked for the past twenty years. And it won’t work now.
1) This is an important suggestion. People in a mostly Spanish speaking city should have easy access to city information and services.
2) Police foot patrols have little influence in reducing crime but it does improve police-resident relations. Having foot patrols can also help the police department with energy costs. The city should also expand its police officer reserves. Any citizen can apply and you are only required to 24 hours a month. The nice $500-$700 a month stipend is also a nice incentive to join. Neighborhood watches rarely work. If we had a city-wide citizens watch brigade, it would help a lot more. Arm the citizens with camcorders and radios and offer community service incentives. There could be an offfice within the police department to help with the logistics of the program.
3) Harassing people is a big problem. Targeting people based on their choice of dress will only infuriate residents and crumble police-resident relationships. The people need to trust the police force in order to work with them.
4)I don’t know where the city can get the money to build more libraries. With our current budget, the city should invest in expanding the Library Mobile program. Take the books to the students, not the other way around.
4)The city is pockmarked with empty lots and parks that are not well taken care of. We could turn some of these lots into community gardens which would foster neighborhood relationships. Joint programs with the police can help people trust them as well. Community murals are also a great way (contact Laura Montagne from the Grain Project!)
5) See the above explanation. Public art projects will come from the Artist Village and El Centro. Over time this will spread across the city!
Just my two cents Art!
August 21, 2008 at 6:00pm at Santa Anita Center, 300 S. Figueroa (behind the 7/11 on 1st. and Harbor). A meeting with Early prevention and Intervention Commission (EPIC) with Michele Martinez.They Work under the Safety commission: We need as many people to attend. About Police, Public Works, Parks and Recreation.
Anybody that wants to ask questions about what went on and voice complaints or comment about it should attend this meeting.
Why Art must not be elected to the Santa Ana City Council:
“SAPD officer spoke to residents and urged them to call the SAPD if they spot trouble – but the sweep included immigration agents. Talk about counter-intuitive! On the one hand you want folks to call the police, but on the other hand you bring “La Migra” on the sweep? Not good!”
Again, Art – you are a racial opportunist, misrepresenting the facts and promoting the status quo regarding illegal immigration in Santa Ana. You have NO PLACE in government.
Immigration agents are NOT OUT to pick up everyday folks – even those here illegally. They are helping SAPD identify and deport illegal alien GANG MEMBERS, VIOLENT CRIMINALS and THOSE WITH WARRANTS OR PREVIOUS DEPORTATION orders.
What a disappointment you are, Art. Perpetuating the fear and distrust in the immigrant (which includes illegal immigrants) community.
If you were honest, and really cared, you would spread the message that ICE is not out to sweep Santa Ana neighborhoods, but to find and deport criminal illegal aliens and illegal alien gang members. By perpetuating the myth that “La Migra” is to be feared and – by extension SAPD – you actually harm the community and perpetuate the code of silence that allows gang members to run Santa Ana.
You have no business running for Council.
Rob –
Yes, because depending on illegal immigrants to rat out other illegal immigrants is a terrific idea! Did you even read your statement before you posted? You totally missed the point.
You have no business commenting on topics that you clearly know nothing about. Nobody does for that matter.
SMS
Interesting; Our family lives in the southwest area that was SUPPOSEDLY targeted according to the article. We live on Baker and Second Street which is right in the middle of the central hub of one of Santa Ana’s notorious gangs – Sixth Street. NOT ONE law enforcement offficer ever came to our residence asking our family to call if we saw any activity of ANY kind. We didn’t receive any pamphlet left in our mailbox…! I can also tell you that we have NOT WITNESSED ANY increased law enforcement vehicle patrol either. I can speak for my family and several others in this particular block…we wouldnt EVER call SAPD to report any activity of any kind. Why? Could it be that maybe we have already been retaliated when we tried to do our part as respectable citizens in calling when we have witnessed gang members graffiti all over the Sunrise Church or our concrete fences? We have been recipients of shots being fired at our house and 15 bullet casings left under our two cars. Unfortunately..the problem is only going to get worse. I was informed by a parole agent last month that several California Youth Authority facilities have closed; which means the burden now lies with the local city/county governments. With the Juvenile Hall and OC Jail facilities at over capacity now..that means more offenders will be running amuck as local probation departments have exhausted their staff with 300+ client caseloads.
I hate to sound so negative, but the facts are that gangs are not going anywhere. All who frequent this site know that gangs have been in the southern California area since the 40s. In some cases, it is a multi-generational issue. It is a multi-complex issue.
I also took a moment to peruse the SAPD website. As we all know, many Santa Ana residents are spanish speaking only. Not one of the SAPD websites are in Spanish translation. Now..do you really think that SAPD is really trying to bridge a gap by not having any bilingual pages on their site? I also noticed that the Gang Reduction Initiative site has not been revised since Jan.’08 as well.
Art, your ideas are very well presented. Unfortunately, if you do not caption the attention of those who have the ability nor the coffers to have the vision or the GANAS (want) to see change..it won’t happen.
If you dont have enough staff or you dont know how to manage you may manage by intimidation. Of course after awhile your employees just go around you and you become irrelevant except as a work hazzard. The SAPD have done the same thing. I can understand why, they see so much horrible stuff and can’t stop it so they intimidate everyone they dont know and they dont get to know any but the criminals. As a result any Community Policing efforts in Santa Ana is first going to have to convince the residents that they can interact with the Police safely. Right now the residents dont believe that they can. Bringing ICE on patroll was a bad idea too. I thought they were going to stay in the jails – I guess there is not enough work for them there, go figure. For years I avoided driving in Santa Ana because of the cops. Now I have more hope for the County Sheriffs than for the SAPD.
This entire operation was designed to take the heat off Chief Walters. He is completely out of touch with the community and doesn’t show a bit of concern for the welfare of the fine employees of the Santa Ana Police Department. He has outlived his time!!! Walters relies on his small cadre of blind loyalists to keep him informed, and rewards his closest friend and with unlimited overtime and multiple luxery take-home vehicles with unlimited use. No accountability whatsoever. Power Currupts…Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely! I’m sorry that the SAPD is taking a major dive.
English is the default language of America. I live in Santa Ana in the same neighborhood as Art and couldn’t disagree more that our city needs to cater to Spanish people on their website. If people want city services they need to learn english and prove they are valid tax paying citizens. Gentrifiation isn’t all bad.
I think it’s time to look REAL hard at the lack of leadership displayed by the Police Chief. 230K a year + is much too expensive for this incompetency.
Art and Thomas,
Before Chief Walter can do anything to address crime in Santa Ana, he needs to address the corruption in his own office. At a time when all overtime has been cancelled department-wide, including much needed gang suppression overtime, one wonders why a single individual, a close friend of the Chief, can continue to receive unlimited overtime and other high cost benefits. Take a look. Your tax dollars at work.
I am very disappointed in epic. I was at the meeting last night with various of our neighbors and leaders. There was a mother that was tired of the police barging into her home. She told them that two people were no longer living at the home, She was there with her children including a young man that has just graduated from high school. He has never been on probation or parole.
Thomas Gordon was at the meeting, well to make a long story short after the meeting I receive a call to go to witness police officers arresting this young man, I did not make it in time to witness this but the young man was awaken from bed and asked to step outside which he had no fear after being at the meeting. They questioned him and told him to return back inside the house as he did this (it was dark) he tripped on something and the police pushed him and slugged him in the face. He was immediately arrested. His charge assault on a police officer. Thanks! to the orange juice we seen the press conference and attended to voice our dismay over the gang raids and taking innocent youth and ruining their lives. We were told if he was on the picture board and he was. He was one of the notorious gang members. Imagine that this young kid who’s life is just starting ruined! Do the police feel any guilt for this horrendous error being made? I would assume to say that this is profiling. Our neighborhood would like to participate in solving the problem, but what can we do when the police agencies call us the cesspool of Santa Ana, or low life’s? How can they not see that we are trying to contribute solutions to our society, we were told that this was the biggest turn out for epic. We were trying to be good community members. I guess I’m just rambling, but what can we do to prevent the ruination of our youth? Do these officers know what little that epic was trying to accomplish has received a black eye in this neighborhood? How do they plan to try and justify this injustice done to this kid? I know people are going to try and say yea right, the police do not make mistakes. Why do they not try to work with us?
Well, I just do not know what else to say. To see Anthony Ramos picture on that board made me sick to my stomach, this youth did not deserve this! Was this retaliation because his mother spoke up at the meeting about the police abuse. Right now in my eyes they are the gang (unit) terrorist in the community. We need people at city hall that know what goes on in the community, that can be the fire break in the community to bring an end to
terrorist acts on both sides of the coin.
SMS,
You must be kidding!! All illegal immigrants are members of a homogenous tribe who disregard trivial matters such as murder, assult, mayhem, etc. committed by fellow tribe-members??
You don’t have a clue, and truly have no business posting on this subject.
However, I welcome your posts and actually read them. It would be nice to be extended the same courtesy.
Repeatedly, Art uses the term “La Migra” (not just an innocuous definition – a loaded term intended to evoke negative association with massive immigration raids decades ago) – it is truly, sincerely disgusting that an alleged council candidate uses such provocative and divisive language to describe law-enforcement agents working with local churches and police to HELP Santa Ana.
Further, to accuse otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants of knowingly aiding and abetting FUGITIVE CRIMINAL illegal immigrants just because they are fellow illegal immigrants is craven and disgusting. In my opinion, true racial opportunism.
And you had the gall to take me to task?
Rob,
The stated goal of the SAPD was to reach out to Latino residents and to convince them to report crimes. Bringing along INS agents is no way to achieve that goal. It is in fact highly counter-productive.
Rob & Art –
The actual goal of any law enforcement agency that expects people to rat on their own is not to remove the worst elements, but to create a ‘witch hunt’ atmosphere to find and deport illegal immigrants. The community knows this and it’s likely that is why they will not cooperate. Sorry if I was being disrespectful Rob, but I felt that your comment was not thoroughly considered.
Response? Other than pointing out my ‘gall,’ that is. And for the record, I am in more than sufficient supply of that so I wouldn’t act so surprised if I were you Rob. 😛
SMS
To ChiefWaltersknow’sItall,
What a freaking coward! It’s obvious that you are some pathetic candy ass administrator or disgruntled officer. You hide behind the confines of your home and fire off disloyal comments about Chief Walters…Why? Your cowardice brings shame to the Santa Ana Police Department. Chief Walters has been an excellent Chief of Police. Is he perfect? Of course not. Are you perfect? Hell no! Get that huge log out of your eye before picking the speck out of Walters’ eye. Lay your head on your pillow tonight and sleep tight, knowing you are a coward and can’t even do your own job much less Chief Walters.
Art,
Good suggestions on getting a handle on crime.
I would really like to see some effort throughout OC toward helping parents in their task of raising responsible citizens. There is no magic wand that can banish gangs from the landscape. However, parents can be strengthened in their roles on a community level. Please check out http://www.parentproject.com. It has worked in other communities. Why not here?