WESTMINSTER : Task Force Reports Gang Leader Arrests

In its first three months, the city’s experimental anti-gang task force logged the arrests of half of the city’s worst gang leaders, an achievement which officials call encouraging.

“We are removing dangerous offenders from the streets. We’re moving forward at an unparalleled rate,” Police Chief James Cook told the City Council on Tuesday.

Since the program began in January, 17 of the 35 gang leaders originally targeted by the program have been arrested on charges including robbery, probation violations, vehicle theft and homicide. One targeted gang member was killed March 8 in a drug-related drive-by shooting.

This year, the task force is expected to arrest the 70 worst offenders among the city’s estimated 850 gang members. Because each commits about five serious crimes a year, Cook said the program could slash the number of felonies committed in the city by up to 20% by 1994.

The anti-gang unit, which city and county officials say is the first of its kind in the state, employs two police officers, a deputy district attorney and a county probation officer working out of the same office. The program costs $434,000 a year, with most of the money coming from funds the city received as a result of seizing narcotics and drug money.

By combining the different agencies under the same roof and focusing only on Westminster, Cook said the unit’s efficiency far exceeds what would be possible if each acted separately. “It’s easier to get cooperation when you lean over and talk to the guy at the next desk. This is exactly the same as how the Japanese build cars, with teams working on them.”

Lt. Larry Woessner, who supervises the program, said Wednesday that the unit constantly updates its target list to include only the worst gang members.

“By arresting the leaders and the most violent offenders, we may start breaking down their abilities and break down the power of the gang, hopefully,” said Woessner. “It’s too soon to tell the impact we’re having. It looks good, but we’ve got a long ways to go.”

City officials said they were pleased with the strong start of the program.

“I think the program is doing great. It’s doing everything we intended it to do and more,” said Mayor Charles V. Smith. “If they keep going at the rate they’re going they will break the back of gang activity in Westminster, I believe.”

Councilwoman Lyn Gillespie agreed that the program is important for the city. The results “sound very encouraging,” Gillespie said. “Ridding our community of gangs has always been one of my top priorities, but we also need to concentrate as strongly on prevention.”

Cook also said the city should emphasize prevention, and called for the funding of anti-gang programs, for help for Boys and Girls’ Club, and for a citywide anti-gang commission.