ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Step Over the Line in Fighting Gangs

The city of Westminster has drawn well-deserved plaudits for its efforts to crack down on gangs. And no doubt its latest effort, which goes beyond previous measures, is motivated by legitimate concerns about the corrosive effect of gang activity on community life. But the city should take stock of the success it has had with specifically targeted anti-gang measures and be wary of strategies that may violate the civil liberties of innocent citizens.

Earlier this month, the city obtained a restraining order aimed at the West Trece gang, enjoining 59 suspected members from “standing, sitting, walking, driving, gathering or appearing anywhere in public view” with other gang members within a 25-square-block neighborhood. The gang is alleged to have been involved in murder, drive-by shootings, assaults, drug dealing and theft. And neighbors also complain of threats and intimidation, gunshots and graffiti.

The city’s resolve not to put up with menacing gang activity is exemplary, and the sentiment behind taking even stronger measures is understandable. However, similar campaigns elsewhere have proved troublesome when they carved out too large an area and targeted too general a group. There is a fine line between legitimate anti-gang efforts designed to make it difficult for members to do business and a broad ban that casts a large group of people under suspicion merely on grounds of possible association. It really is a question of degree.

The city ought to take further inspiration from the success of its Gang Unit, which is aggressively visible and which targets gang leaders. It is especially vigorous about visiting gang hangouts, looking into suspicious activity and, most appropriately, cracking down on probation violations. The intense monitoring of those already convicted of offenses avoids the constitutional questions raised by guilt by association. This is the proper focus to have--on those with known gang activities.

The unit says it needs more people, but it already has made life so difficult that gang members are landing in jail or leaving town. And the Orange County Grand Jury has said that the program--with its two police officers, two county probation officers and two members of the county district attorney’s office--is a model for gang-fighting programs in other cities.

Westminster’s success easily justifies the unit’s estimated yearly cost of $600,000. Keep up the effort, but beware of overly broad strategies.