Police Add Patrols to Force Gangs Out of Park : San Fernando: In the wake of the shooting of a mother and her three children, city mounts a campaign at Las Palmas.

Reacting to the shooting of a mother and three children in the cross-fire of a gang fight last week, San Fernando city officials said Tuesday that they will take immediate steps--including more police patrols--to drive warring gangs out of Las Palmas Park.

Officials said they will place evening police patrols at the park where the shooting occurred July 3. Recreation Department employees will be placed at the park full time during the day and police will strictly enforce the park’s 10:30 p.m. closing time.

“The immediate strategy is to come up with increased police presence and reassign some park staff,” City Administrator Mary Strenn said after meeting in closed session Tuesday morning with the City Council and Police Chief Dominick Rivetti.

“The first thing we need to do is get that park under control,” Strenn said. “The first priority is for people to be able to use their own park. Two gangs have claimed a public space. The public is the victim.”

The increased anti-gang effort was prompted by the shooting of Enriqueta Duran, 30, and her children, Hector, 8, and Hugo and Melina, both 9, who were hit by shotgun pellets. They were treated at hospitals for minor wounds and released.

Police said the mother and her children were walking to the entrance of the park and stumbled into a confrontation between gang members who were on foot and in a car.

“These were the most innocent victims I’ve ever seen,” Lt. Ernest Halcon said.

Police later arrested Frank Santiago, 19, of San Fernando in the shooting. Santiago, who police said is a known gang member, was charged Tuesday with two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, street terrorism and firing at an occupied vehicle. Halcon said additional suspects are being sought.

Rivetti said the park police patrol will be in place as early as today. He said the two officers assigned to the park will spend 90% of their time on foot patrols, getting to know the users of the park and nearby residents.

“We’ll use it as an opportunity to interact with the people who use the park,” Rivetti said. “The officers are going to deal very aggressively with the gangsters.”

Officials said the gang problem at Las Palmas Park began earlier this year when a street gang that has existed for decades was challenged by a newer gang for control of the park.

“They both claim it is theirs,” Rivetti said. “It’s a classic battle for turf and they don’t care who is around when they do their battles and violence.”

In addition to patrolling the park, officials said, police will contact the parents of youths suspected of taking part in gang activities and attempt to get them to steer their children away from crime. Strenn said a community meeting will probably be scheduled later this month at the park.

Mayor Doude Wysbeek said the strategy is not only to drive the gangs out of the park. “We want them out of the city,” Wysbeek said. “We want to make sure the community is not intimidated and that we have safe parks and streets.”