To further its efforts to combat gang violence, the SCPD has partnered with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit’s National Gang Unit. According to Police Chief Howard Skerry, “We will tap into all available resources to cub this epidemic.” The joint effort is part of ICE’s Community Shield program to partner with local police authorities to curb gang violence. ICE has already partnered with police in Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Salinas this year, and with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department.
At the same time, Mayor Mike Rotkin attempted to allay the fears of the Latino community that they would be targeted. “I don’t think the plan is for ICE to come in here and do sweeps,” he said. In combating gang violence, ICE not only focuses on illegal immigrants but on American citizens too. Read more at Fox35 and the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
