Santa Ana Gang Violence Increase Is First in Decade

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 in 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, including rises in car thefts, robberies and burglaries.

As this is happening, budget cuts have forced the city to reduce the number of police officers in one of its gang suppression units. At one time, the team had 18 officers patrolling the streets, working to collect gang intelligence and maintain a strong police presence in troubled neighborhoods. Now, only six officers are in the unit, and city officials warn the economic downturn means that the police department won’t be likely to get an infusion of cash any time soon.

The crime jump has its roots in several factors, police officials and experts said. Police Chief Paul 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 attributed the operation to removing many of the city’s top gang leaders from the streets. But in the last few years, many of the roughly 30 gang leaders sentenced to prison have been released on parole, said Lt. Hugh Mooney.

Others point to Santa Ana’s economy. Unemployment is rising and in September stood at 5.7%, compared with 3.2% countywide. The city’s jobless rate is hovering at its highest levels in 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 Carona 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,” Carona said. “And when they’re out, they meet other gang members, and that’s when the trouble begins.”