Todays Press Democrat....
Gangs not 'out of control' in Petaluma
Discussing recent attacks on people wearing red, chief says police force is aggressive in gang control
By KERRY BENEFIELD
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Petaluma Police Chief Steve Hood said Monday that gangs are not out of control in Petaluma despite three recent attacks on people wearing red, a color claimed by one of Sonoma County's major gang factions.
Hood credited his department with aggressive efforts to control gangs. He said Petaluma police are also being proactive in releasing details to the public, which may be driving the perception that gang crime is widespread.
But, he said, gang crime is "not something that is completely out of control here in Petaluma."
Hood discussed the recent attacks and related law enforcement issues with the Petaluma City Council on Monday.
The balance of power has shifted with the two dominant gangs in Sonoma County, Hood told the council.
Just five years ago, norteño-affiliated gangs comprised about 60 percent of the county's 3,000 gang members, according to police.
Once the minority faction, sureño-affiliated groups now make up about 60 percent of gangs, according to police.
"So they are flexing their muscles a little more than they used to," Hood said of sureños.
"There is not neutral turf. If they see each other, they are supposed to fight," he said. "I'm very familiar with how fast things get out of hand."
Hood told council members that his department regularly meets with other law enforcement agencies throughout the county to develop an integrated gang-fighting program.
"In the end, it's a complex social issue," he said. "We are only one piece of the pie."
Hood said the department has created a downtown-specific beat and calls for service in the downtown area are down 12 percent over this time last year.
But Karla Schikore, vice president of the Petaluma Downtown Association, told the council Monday that even if calls are down, the high profile of gang-related crime can steer public opinion.
"Even if there is a perception that downtown is not safe, there is going to be a problem for all of us," she said. "Perception is everything."
Hood agreed, encouraging people to see for themselves life after dark downtown or talk to those who do spend time downtown.
"Anybody's perception is their reality," he said. "The important thing is to check it out."
But he expressed reservations about suggestions that people dress in red to make a statement to gang members. Authorities have said the three recent attacks on people wearing red may be the result of young gang recruits trying to impress higher-ups with sureños, who wear blue.
Hood said it could spark trouble if people go beyond wearing red clothes to trying to take on gangs by themselves.
"A lot of kids are taking that to heart," he said, noting that "taunting behavior" can make a situation escalate.
"The problem is that gang members perceive you as a potential rival," he said.
They dont perciev people wearing red as a rival?....they see them as easy targets cuz they are squares not bangers...Petaluma dont know what the fuck is goin on....
Gangs not 'out of control' in Petaluma
Discussing recent attacks on people wearing red, chief says police force is aggressive in gang control
By KERRY BENEFIELD
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Petaluma Police Chief Steve Hood said Monday that gangs are not out of control in Petaluma despite three recent attacks on people wearing red, a color claimed by one of Sonoma County's major gang factions.
Hood credited his department with aggressive efforts to control gangs. He said Petaluma police are also being proactive in releasing details to the public, which may be driving the perception that gang crime is widespread.
But, he said, gang crime is "not something that is completely out of control here in Petaluma."
Hood discussed the recent attacks and related law enforcement issues with the Petaluma City Council on Monday.
The balance of power has shifted with the two dominant gangs in Sonoma County, Hood told the council.
Just five years ago, norteño-affiliated gangs comprised about 60 percent of the county's 3,000 gang members, according to police.
Once the minority faction, sureño-affiliated groups now make up about 60 percent of gangs, according to police.
"So they are flexing their muscles a little more than they used to," Hood said of sureños.
"There is not neutral turf. If they see each other, they are supposed to fight," he said. "I'm very familiar with how fast things get out of hand."
Hood told council members that his department regularly meets with other law enforcement agencies throughout the county to develop an integrated gang-fighting program.
"In the end, it's a complex social issue," he said. "We are only one piece of the pie."
Hood said the department has created a downtown-specific beat and calls for service in the downtown area are down 12 percent over this time last year.
But Karla Schikore, vice president of the Petaluma Downtown Association, told the council Monday that even if calls are down, the high profile of gang-related crime can steer public opinion.
"Even if there is a perception that downtown is not safe, there is going to be a problem for all of us," she said. "Perception is everything."
Hood agreed, encouraging people to see for themselves life after dark downtown or talk to those who do spend time downtown.
"Anybody's perception is their reality," he said. "The important thing is to check it out."
But he expressed reservations about suggestions that people dress in red to make a statement to gang members. Authorities have said the three recent attacks on people wearing red may be the result of young gang recruits trying to impress higher-ups with sureños, who wear blue.
Hood said it could spark trouble if people go beyond wearing red clothes to trying to take on gangs by themselves.
"A lot of kids are taking that to heart," he said, noting that "taunting behavior" can make a situation escalate.
"The problem is that gang members perceive you as a potential rival," he said.
They dont perciev people wearing red as a rival?....they see them as easy targets cuz they are squares not bangers...Petaluma dont know what the fuck is goin on....
