News Poll
 
What one business would you like to see downtown?
Bike shop
Hardware store
Grocery store
Dry cleaner
Dance/Nightclub
Other
Past Polls
   Top Opinion
 
   Opinion
 

 Editorial: Coordinated approach needed to curb gang violence
Nov 6, 2009
 
 Letters: Don't believe health care lobbyists who are fostering fear
Nov 6, 2009
 
  More Opinion...
   

OPINION > EDITORIALS


Can't ignore gang violence
Jul 17, 2008

Fewer people, more gang incident

News that gang activity is rising in Morgan Hill should concern residents of every race, religion and income.

Police Chief Bruce Cumming reports that Morgan Hill had more gang-related incidents in the first half of 2008 than nearby Gilroy, despite the fact that Gilroy's population is approximately 25 percent larger than Morgan Hill's population.

It's a warning sign that our community cannot ignore.



Heed the warnings

"These things are happening ... in areas that people would not associate with gang activity. It is not happening very late at night, it is happening in the early evening hours," Cumming said.

Given the time and location of many of the gang-related incidents, it's increasingly likely that innocent members of the community could be caught in the crossfire of what Cumming described as "violent" and "impulsive" attacks between members of rival gags.

Law enforcement officials suspect that the rise in gang activity is due to turf battles between Norte'o and Sure'o gang members. Gangs fund themselves most often with sales of illegal drugs - especially meth - and affluent Morgan Hill is an attractive place to control. Morgan Hill is currently known as Norte'o territory; officials speculate that Sure'os are trying to make inroads in this community.



Cooperation is essenti

Police are working with other are agencies to address the problem. We encourage them to look at programs that have worked in those communities, such as Gilroy's Anti-Crime Team and its Lucky 7 bulletin. 

In addition, given the time and location of the gang-related incidents of late, it's important that residents report any suspicious activity to police. 

It's not safe to assume that because you don't wear gang colors or hang out with gang members that you're immune to the violent effects of gang activity. We're seeing clear signs of increasing trouble. Let's work together now to minimize it. But, for now, we're glad to see that the preliminary steps are wise ones.






POST A COMMENT

If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Add to Google Add to My Yahoo!  Email This Article  Print
 Opinion: Editorials
Editorial: Coordinated approach needed to curb gang violence
Nov 6, 2009
 
Editorial: Cheers and Jeers
Nov 3, 2009
 
Editorial: Complete Upper Little Llagas Flood Control Project
Oct 29, 2009
 
Editorial: City needs to keep theater options open
Oct 27, 2009
 
 Opinion: Letters to the Editor
Letters: Don't believe health care lobbyists who are fostering fear
Nov 6, 2009
 
Letters: We need to be creative to create a vibrant, exciting downtown
Nov 3, 2009
 
Letters: It's not just gang members who live in low income housing
Oct 29, 2009
 
Please don't reduce Morgan Hill to a suburb of slums
Oct 27, 2009
 
 Opinion: Guest Column
LO FFA learns about leadership
Oct 27, 2009
 
Reflecting on one who gave her life to education
Oct 5, 2009
 
Making the most of education dollars
Aug 3, 2009
 
Socialized health care is not the answer
Jul 30, 2009
 
More Editorials... More Letters to the Editor... More Guest Column...


 Obituaries

 Angie (DiManto) Schneider
6/22/1934 - 11/2/2009

 Jacqueline Hoey Walter
6/29/1934 - 10/27/2009

 Ronald Coleman Winter
2/23/1961 - 10/19/2009

 Anthony William Librers
9/13/1978 - 10/18/2009

 Cristofaro Cassara
3/10/1939 - 10/14/2009

 Mark L. Mom
6/22/1952 - 9/22/2009

 James M. Neet
10/7/1960 - 10/9/2009

 Lynn D. Boyer
7/4/1917 - 9/13/2009

 Photos
News
     
Sports
     
Special Events
     
Full Pages
     
 Videos
Hope flies again
Oct 21, 2009
 
A creepy crawly afternoon
Oct 5, 2009
 
911 call of crash that spurred Toyota recall
Sep 30, 2009
 
Approaching the Pacheco Pass Fire
Aug 31, 2009
 
 Special Reports
 Most Wanted
 
More Obituaries... More Photos... More Videos...
Advertise | Contact Us | Subscriber Center | RSS Feed
Copyright © 2009 | MainStreet Media Group | All rights reserved.