County Denies Funding for Anti-Gang Unit

A special anti-gang unit in Ventura County will have to continue to beg for money after the Board of Supervisors declined Tuesday to make emergency funds available for the program, which has drawn praise for curbing street violence.

While Ventura County remains one of the safest areas in the nation, finding money to pay for the program is proving increasingly difficult as local governments confront a worsening state budget crisis. The supervisors concluded the program is vital but declined to ensure its survival.

“I’m not in favor of funding this at this time, but it’s a high priority,” Supervisor Judy Mikels said. “We may not always be able to offer Cadillac service, but we will offer citizens of our county the best service within our means.”

The supervisors directed county officials to work with the district attorney’s office to identify new revenues to pay for the program.

Anticipating similar requests from other departments, the board asked County Executive Officer Johnny Johnston to develop a priority list of programs that may soon come before the board seeking money.

In doing so, the board turned back an impassioned and compelling plea from Dist. Atty. Greg Totten, who is facing his first significant fiscal crisis only one month into his term.

Totten urged the board to dip into contingency funds to cover a $128,100 shortfall to pay for prosecutors who specialize in anti-gang cases in Ventura and Oxnard. State funds for the program have been cut by 37% as California faces a budget deficit that could reach $30 billion next year.

Totten said 250 hard-core gang members are prosecuted each year under the program, which he credits for helping keep crime down in the county.

He pledged to continue to prosecute gang offenders but said the effort would be compromised if not handled by prosecutors with extensive experience in such cases.

“It’s a vital program,” Totten told the board. “It’s making a difference in the community. It’s protecting people.”

Supervisor Frank Schillo was prepared to approve the needed funds, but the other four board members balked.

They cited the board’s long-standing policy to allow grant programs to expire once funds run out.

Supervisors directed Johnston to help find funding, possibly from foundations, local governments or elsewhere in the district attorney’s budget, to pay for the program.