THAT’S DEBATABLE:Purging gangs from Costa Mesa may take several forms

What do you think is the best way to eradicate gangs in Costa Mesa?

We will win the war on gangs in Costa Mesa with a multi-pronged attack that will require a great degree of interagency cooperation and resolve.

First and foremost, a strong message that Costa Mesa has zero tolerance for gangs must be communicated loud and clear. This includes not only local gang members but also those who may visit from other areas.

The zero-tolerance message must be backed up by tough enforcement and prosecution of gang members and their affiliates. Essentially, gang members must be made to understand that they will be under constant scrutiny.

Gang injunctions may be useful, and the so-called stay-away orders being enacted by Los Angeles to combat gangs would be a very good idea. These orders are a condition of probation and forbid gang members to be in a certain neighborhood after release from jail, thus disabling members ability to pick up where they left off.

We are fortunate that we have a great Police Department, a proactive new chief, a knowledgeable anti-gang unit keeping tabs on gang activity, and cooperative ties to other local agencies. Through communication, policy and material support, the council can work with the Costa Mesa Police Department to defeat the scourge of street gangs.

ERIC BEVER

Costa Mesa city councilman

“Education and prevention play a vital role in keeping young people away from the trap of gangs and gang-related violence,” U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales said in his remarks about the White House Task Force on Disadvantaged Youth. From the top cop, Gonzales, to Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, down to our local Costa Mesa Police Department gang experts, all believe that the only real way to eradicate gangs in our communities is to employ a two-pronged strategy: enforcement and intervention.

The suppression of gang activity by means of aggressive enforcement is essential. More gang officers, more enforcement tools, more monitoring of gang members.

But enforcement only reacts to the problem. To eradicate gangs we must get to the roots, or the “farm.” We must develop and maintain intervention strategies to interrupt the recruitment of new pre-teen to mid-teen gang members, and encourage existing gang members to leave the gangs for positive alternatives.

In June 2006, the council approved such a strategy and set out to eliminate gangs within five years. Despite the overwhelming law enforcement expert opinions supporting a dual approach, the intervention component now risks removal from the plan by the new council majority.

I trust our Police Department and experts on gangs who say that a dual approach that includes intervention and disruption of gang recruiting is key to get rid of the Costa Mesa gang problem.

KATRINA FOLEY

Costa Mesa city councilwoman

In order to eradicate gangs, our community must develop a multifaceted approach that utilizes many different segments of the community. Our educators, parents, law enforcement, clergy, businessmen and women, social services, and judicial agencies must work together to provide safe opportunities and education for youth and their families. Programs need to be developed and implemented to teach children at a very young age the danger of becoming involved with a gang. Parents must be taught to recognize changes in their children, which may indicate possible gang association.

The Police Department must have the necessary tools available to help them identify and deter gang activity. They must be able to have access to efforts taking place in other cities, and share and maintain information concerning gang members and their activities. They need to have an ongoing solid presence in areas known for gang behavior, and continuing education relating to the intervention and suppression of gang-related activities must be provided to them.

LINDA DIXON

Costa Mesa city councilwoman

Many local public safety agencies, the school district and nonprofit organizations are working to eliminate gang activity. But I believe it is time to pursue civil injunctions, which define gangs as a public nuisance.

In spite of American Civil Liberties Union opposition, these injunctions have been used with success in Santa Ana, Oxnard, Vista, Los Angeles and other cities.

The injunctions can be crafted by judges to fit each community’s gang problem and may prohibit gang members from loitering, associating with other gang members in certain neighborhoods, wearing certain clothing, violating a curfew, using gang gestures, or possessing drugs, alcohol, weapons or graffiti tools.

Some injunctions have forbidden the possession of a pager or a cellphone or riding bicycles. Those who violate the injunction can be arrested for contempt of court and sent to jail for up to six months, fined as much as $1,000 or both.

Last month after a gang-related murder, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn urged the Los Angeles city attorney to pursue an injunction to take legal action against landlords who rent to families with gang members.

WENDY LEECE

Costa Mesa city councilwoman

The best way to eradicate gangs in the short term is with strong law enforcement. This would include participating in regional enforcement, increasing the number of gang officers, and continuing to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reduce crime overall.

The more crime is reduced overall, the more resources we have available to target gang members.

Long-term is more of a social solution. Strong families are critical, and I believe that the more time parents have to spend with their children the less likely they will be to go in the wrong direction. Government simply cannot replace good parents.

ALLAN MANSOOR

Costa Mesa mayor