The Task Force will coordinate the 10 law enforcement agencies working in Santa Cruz County.
There have been nine homicides in Santa Cruz County this year. Five of them were gang-related. This is just one reason why the long-anticipated launch of the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force on Tuesday is so welcome. The Task Force will coordinate the 10 law enforcement agencies working in the county in their efforts to combat 19 identifiable gangs in the region.
“The goal is to have seven days a week of [gang] coverage,” says Sheriff Phil Wowak. By coordinating the participating agencies’ efforts, the Task Force will be able to identify gang members, better supervise parolees and prosecute crimes more effectively. It will also collaborate with BASTA (Broad-based Apprehension, Suppression, Treatment and Alternatives) and work with community and school leaders to prevent the next generation of young people from finding a home in a gang.
The Task Force will be commanded by Mario Sulay of the District Attorney’s office. Its initial focus will be the southern county and Watsonville, which has suffered extensively from a rise in gang violence, though it plans to operate throughout the county. Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel.
