Two young friends, Tyler Tenorio and Carl Reimer, were the high-profile victims of gang violence in Santa Cruz.
Two young friends, Tyler Tenorio and Carl Reimer, were the high-profile victims of gang violence in Santa Cruz. Now police are concerned that the traditional profile of gang members is shifting, and it may not be as easy anymore to pick gang members out on the street. “People are trying to conceal gang activity because they know what law enforcement is looking for,” says Lieutenant Bernie Escalente of the SCPD. He adds that people generally identified as surfers and skaters could actually be gang members.
Also of concern to Escalente is the idea that gang members are moving into certain neighborhoods not usually associated with gang activity. Westside Santa Cruz is an example—Escalente says that the Norteños are establishing a presence there.
Though there are certain indications that people are involved with gangs—the Norteños still favor the color red and the number 14—real indicators are where people are hanging out, and who they are hanging out with. Of course, just being in the area doesn’t automatically mean that someone is a gang member. It does, however, put them at risk, because gang members won’t take the time to ask about their affiliation. That could be what happened to Carl Reimer. Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel.
