Gangs

The Problem of Gangs

Although violence that affects youth can manifest itself in various forms, gang violence is one of the major issues facing young people in Oxnard today. While the City has made significant strides in reducing gang membership and gang homicides, gangs remain a significant concern in Oxnard. There are an estimated 1,500 gang members and 545 associate members in the City. Gang members are defined by a specific set of criteria outlined by the City of Oxnard and the State of California. From 2001 to 2008, over 600 young people have been the victim of reported serious gang assaults and gang violence has taken the lives of 49 people, which represents about half of the City's total number of homicides in that period of time.

Gang recruitment and membership usually starts during the early adolescent years, with the youngest documented gang member in Oxnard identified at 13 years old. However, the average age group for gang members is concentrated between 20-30 years. Ninety-two percent of gang members in Oxnard have been identified as Hispanic. Although the majority of gangs are comprised of males, females make up about 7% of gang members.

Much has been done to address gang violence. Serious gang assaults in Oxnard has seen a 40% decrease from 2001 to 2008, and gang membership has dropped about 50% in the past 12 years. This decrease has been attributed to increased cooperation among agencies, the faith community and non-profit groups, and on the suppression side a significant amount of resources committed to enforcement as well as to the civil gang injunctions that have been instituted in highly impacted areas in Oxnard.

Despite the reduction in gang violence, it still presents a serious community and public safety issue in Oxnard, especially as it tends to be sporadic and unpredictable. Periodic upsurges in gang violence occur each year, such as in the summer of 2006, when there were 22 shootings and 3 deaths related to gangs. Furthermore, focus groups conducted with youth in Oxnard in 2008 revealed that many young people are fearful and confronted with physical threats by gang members on a daily or nearly daily basis. These interactions with gang members usually occur on the streets throughout the city, as young people are asked to identify what neighborhoods or areas they "claim" or are associated with.

Beyond the personal costs of the loss of a loved one, disability, and general sense of living in fear, gang crime and violence has become a significant expense to the City and County. Oxnard spends $1 million per year on graffiti clean-up. Furthermore, 20% of the Oxnard Police Department field resources is dedicated to gang suppression, and further costs have been identified, including resources directed towards incarceration, prosecution, and supervision for probation and parole.

Gang Investigations

Gang crime poses significant challenges to investigators. First and foremost, the vast majority of gang violence is inflicted upon gang members by gang members. Those involved in the gang culture generally refuse to cooperate with the police and therefore victims and gang witnesses will often not tell the police who committed the assault and often are not truthful even about how the assault occurred. Unfortunately, many gang victims take it upon themselves to retaliate for the assault and therefore continue the deadly cycle of violence.

Secondly, gang crime most often occurs when the victim is alone and therefore independent witnesses are not common.

Violence upon persons not involved in the gang lifestyle constitutes a very small percentage of the total violence and assaults upon those citizens who report a gang crime are extremely rare. Regardless, there does exist a fear of becoming involved that prevents people from reporting gang activity or identifying suspects in gang crimes.

While witnesses who come forward, identify themselves, and report what they know or see to police are much more valuable to an effective prosecution, those that choose to pass on the information while remaining anonymous are still of help. Callers can pass information on anonymously by calling the Oxnard Police Department Gang Hotline at 805-982-7043; or by contacting Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.com. Tips through Crime Stoppers can be eligible for rewards up to $1,000. and the tipster is never required to give their name.

Additionally, the City of Oxnard offers a $10,000. reward for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for any unsolved homicide. For details, contact 805.982.7070

The Path to Ending Gang Violence

Gang suppression, a term to describe constant and intense enforcement, has been effective at reducing gang violence and is a necessary strategy to safeguard the community. It, however, will not end gang violence.

The solution to gang violence lies in the changing of the many societal and family influences that lead youth to gang involvement. Simply put, it lies in changing the minds of those youth attracted to the gang lifestyle and culture.

It is generally agreed that a successful community program to reduce or eliminate gang violence requires prevention and intervention efforts in addition to suppression. In order to further the prevention and intervention efforts working towards reducing gang violence in the City of Oxnard, Mayor Thomas Holden, Supervisor Kathy Long, Councilmember Andres Herrera and Supervisor John Flynn, formed a group originally known as the Community Action Partnership (CAP). This group, now named The Oxnard ALLIANCE for Community Strength is a collaborative between the City of Oxnard and the County of Ventura. Further, The ALLIANCE strives to reflect the voice of the community, and its aim is to include representatives from all sectors of the community within its membership.

The mission of The ALLIANCE is 'to develop and provide coordinated resources to create a safe environment for our youth and families in their homes, schools and communities'.

In addition to coordinating local resources, The ALLIANCE represents Oxnard in the California Cities Gang Prevention Network (CCGPN), an initiative of National the League of Cities (NLC) and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD). This network of 13 major cities in California was formed to combat gang violence and victimization. The CCGPN, the first of its kind in the nation, focuses on successful policies and practices that interweave prevention, intervention, enforcement and a community's "moral voice" as an alternative to prison-only solutions.

The ALLIANCE, created a strategic plan, known as the SAFETY Blueprint to describe the range of elements needed in Oxnard to increase positive outcomes for young people, and consequently, to also reduce violence, shift social norms and promote safety for all. More specifically, it can inform and guide a coordinated and collaborative effort among multiple, diverse sectors and the community that spans a prevention, intervention, and enforcement/suppression continuum.

Support

There are many pubic and private agencies and organizations that offer prevention and intervention services. Program descriptions and links to some are listed below, and a more comprehensive list of services and providers can be accessed through Interface Family Services' information and referral service by dialing "2-1-1" or visiting their website at www.211Ventura.org.

The Parent Project

The Parent Project offers help dealing with such issues as alcohol or other drug use, teen sex, truancy, run away, defiance, and much more. The Parent Project teaches that consistent consequences - good or bad - help the child make his or her own choice to grow and change.

The Parent Project consists of ten 3-hour classes from 6:00-9:00 p.m. one evening a week. Classes are FREE, but a $20 workbook is required and must be purchased in class. Classes are offered both in English and Spanish. For more information, class schedules, or reservations, please contact Officer Sergio Figueroa at (805) 982-7039 or Carmela Flores (Ventura County Probation Agency) at (805) 973-5101.

The Oxnard Police Activities League

The Oxnard Police Activities League (PAL) was established in April 1994 as a citywide, after-school crime-prevention program to provide outreach to local youth and build positive relationships between youth, police officers and the community. The mission of Oxnard PAL is to foster a bond mutual trust and understanding between police officers and young people by enabling them to interact in a non-confrontational setting. A variety of educational, enrichment and recreational programs and activities are offered to youth ages 7 to 18 with emphasis placed on reaching those "at-risk." PAL Membership and all programming are FREE.

Oxnard City Corp

Oxnard City Corps nurtures personal initiative, fosters leadership development, and teaches civic responsibility and active citizenship to its members. We believe in recogninzing and affirming the individual worth and contributions of today's youth in the community.

City Corps exposes youth ages 13-24 to experiential learning and hands-on training through a variety of projects and activities.

To join City Corps please complete the registration forms below and return it to the City Corps administrative offices at 555 South A Street, Suite 200.

The Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme help youth reach their fullest potential through a positive environment, lifelong learning, and quality programs dedicated to the arts, education, character and leadership development, health and recreation.