Sharp Rise in Gang Violence in Santa Ana

The first surge in Santa Ana gang violence since the early 1990s comes at a particularly difficult time for the city, as its economy slows and officials are left with less money to fight gang crimes.

After seeing a record drop in gang murders over the last decade, Santa Ana experienced a sharp rise during the first nine months of this year. From January to September, there were 10 gang murders--double the total for all of 2000. The city’s total crime rate jumped nearly 20% during the period, and included increases in car thefts, robberies and burglaries.

At the same time, budget cuts have forced the city to reduce the number of police officers in one of its gang suppression units. The team once had 18 officers patrolling with special interest in collecting gang intelligence and maintaining a strong presence in troubled neighborhoods. Now only six officers are in the unit, and city officials warn that the economic downturn means the Police Department probably won’t see any more money soon.

Several factors have caused the crime jump, say police officials and experts. Police Chief Paul M. Walters said that gang leaders sentenced to prison after the city’s massive 1993 gang sweep, known as Operation Roundup, are being released and reconnecting with fellow gang members.

Police have long credited the operation with removing gang leaders from the streets. But in the last few years, many of the roughly 30 leaders sentenced to prison have been freed on parole, said Lt. Hugh Mooney. The upswing in murders, as well as other crimes, can be attributed to this small group and their associates, he said.

“It’s based on the gang members [back] in town, and their activity,” Mooney said.

Others point to Santa Ana’s economy. Unemployment is rising and in September stood at 5.7% (compared to 3.2% countywide). The city’s jobless rate is at its highest level in about four years.

“I would tie the gangs to the unemployment,” said Gilbert Geis, professor emeritus of UC Irvine’s department of criminology, law and society. “That’s the group that is going to be the most deeply unemployed, the kids who are attracted to gangs.”

Santa Ana Police Sgt. Mario Corona said a tighter job market means more gang members on the streets.

“They’re unemployed and have too much time on their hands, so they’re out on the streets more often,” Corona said. “And when they’re out, they meet other gang members and that’s when the trouble begins.”

The economic pinch is being felt at Santa Ana’s Work Center, which helps residents find jobs. Director Judy Chen-Lee said orientation programs usually draw about 15 people. But over the last few months, more than 30 people have attended the sessions, which occur several times a week.

“Every orientation is now packed,” Chen-Lee said. “There is a high level of anxiety.”

The Police Department is feeling the financial strain. The gang suppression program, which paid officers overtime to handle gang patrols, was funded by state and federal grants, totaling nearly $500,000 a year, as well as by $300,000 in city money. But the grants dried up, and the city doesn’t have the money to make up the shortfall, so the program was reduced.

Chief Walters said he might shuffle staffing to beef up the program. “It’s a difficult thing,” he said. “You have to find other ways to do it.”

Municipal finances across the state show no signs of improving. State sales taxes are below projections, and local governments rely on these taxes to pay for many services.

But not everyone in Santa Ana is convinced that reductions in gang patrols have to mean more gang violence.

“Just because their personnel has diminished, it doesn’t mean that they’re not effective,” said Councilwoman Alberta D. Christy. “You can be effective in pinpointing problems.”

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Crime Increase

Santa Ana crime statistics for January through June of this year compared to the same six-month period last year show a marked increase in homicides and car thefts:

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2000 2001 Change Total 5,126 6,083 +19% Homicide 9 13 +44 Rape 35 28 --20 Robbery 426 471 +11 Assault 429 407 --5 Burglary 621 685 +10 Car theft 870 1,345 +55 Larceny 2,608 3,026 +16 Arson 128 108 --16

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Source: California Dept. of Justice