SIMI VALLEY : Officer Says Gang Violence Is Concern

In a special meeting of Simi Valley leaders Thursday night, a police lieutenant acknowledged that gang-inspired violence has become a concern in Simi Valley with more than 100 identified gang members living within the city limits.

Simi Valley Police Lt. Jon Ainsworth, head of the department’s anti-gang unit, told city leaders that police have identified five gangs operating in Simi Valley. These gangs, and others from out of town, have been responsible for five drive-by shootings and four stabbings in the past three years, he said.

Gang members are also responsible for 78% of the 906 reported cases of graffiti in the city this year, Ainsworth said.

“It is here,” Ainsworth said. “We need to continue to acknowledge it. We have a commitment to the suppression of gang activity. But we need to do more along the lines of prevention.” Ainsworth’s comments came at a special meeting concerning gangs and other issues. The meeting was attended by members of the City Council, the Simi Valley Unified School District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. It was the first such meeting of city leaders in nearly three years.

City leaders, in response to a recent increase in gang activity, are forming a special gang task force to study the problem and come up with recommendations on how to curtail it.

The 11-member task force will include at least one representative from the City Council, the Police Department, the school and park districts and various other community organizations, said Mike Sedell, assistant city manager.

The city is also soliciting nominations from youth groups and individuals interested in serving on the advisory panel, he said. Nominations should be submitted to City Manager Lin Koester by Oct. 14. The task force will be asked to report back to the council with its findings by April 1, 1992.