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Anti-gang panel expands focus to all crime
City's police chief wants to educate public on preventable theft tactics
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More from Public SafetyA gang-prevention committee has expanded its role to address all crime in Simi Valley, refocusing on property-related thefts.
Because about 92 percent of all crime is related to preventable theft, and police say there are no "verified" gang members in any of the city's schools, the City Council voted recently to revamp the Community Gang Task Force to be the Community Crime Prevention Task Force. The switch was at the request of Police Chief Mike Lewis.
"The timing was right" to change the scope of the advisory committee, Lewis said.
During a 20-year period, the violent crime rate in Simi Valley dropped from a high of 32.9 crimes per 1,000 people to 20.7.
Since the inception of the Community Gang Task Force in 1991, its efforts have been a successful part of preventing the escalation of gang crimes in the community, Lewis said.
Wednesday was the first meeting of the committee in its new role, with council members Michelle Foster and Steve Sojka in place as its new council liaisons.
"Ninety-two percent of our crimes are property crimes; let's make a dent in that," Sojka said.
The task force is made up of about 20 city, school, police and community members who meet on at least a quarterly basis.
Board members say education and awareness are the keys to decreasing property-related thefts.
"All of us can make this a safer place if we lock our garages, don't leave valuables and bring purses in from the car," Sojka said. "If all of us do a little more due diligence, we're going to reduce crime."
Task Force member Tony Machuca, from the Ventura County Probation Agency, gave a brief presentation to the group on gang affiliation.
In Ventura County, there are about 2,500 gang members, Machuca said. Fewer gang members are in the east county, with 18 living in Moorpark.
In 1995, crime data indicated an increasing problem with organized street gangs, with 51 gang-related violent crimes reported that year. In 2007, only 16 violent crimes were committed by gang members, Lewis said.
The next meeting of the task force is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on August 8, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ummm........Can we have one of these for Oxnard/Hueneme please? Unless we already have one, if so, they need to step it up a bit.
GM Junior :)
Posted by opns on August 8, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
H-girl29 -- you are so so right girl! Stuff like this should be around, and I sure do hope someone will step it up.
I like your post!
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on August 8, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GM opns - thanks!
Posted by opns on August 8, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very Good njnp, there should be one started, would you be willing to jump in there and help? I'm mobilizing you.
Posted by opns on August 8, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hueneme_girl29 - your welcome. We need recruits, we need to take our streets back. Enough is enough.
Posted by yotonto on August 8, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello high_society,
Besides the blogs, what actions are going to be implemented to make a difference?
Has there been some type of meeting?
Is law enforcement aware of your commitment to help out?
I firmly believe police departments can have all the programs available to the public in terms of prevention, but, if the public just sits idly by and does nothing, it should expect nothing.
It's like people complaining about their elected officials, but have never voted! You get out of it, what you put into it.
We are the eyes and ears of the police...we are all in this together.
Count me in...
Posted by Crime_Stopper on August 8, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You want to help? Listen up!
I applaud the effort of anybody who is willing to give up personal time towards making our streets safer. I find many people who are willing to complain, but it is like extracting hen's teeth to get volunteers. Here is an opportunity:
Crime Stoppers is a community based crime solving organization composed of law enforcement (all agencies), the media and a citizen board of directors. We provide the means by which persons can report the location of a fugitive, criminal activity or the perpetrator of a crime while maintaining anonymous. A reward may be paid if a tip leads to an arrest. Anonymity is maintained throughout. Many tipsters go through Crime Stoppers because of fear of retribution.
At a recent board meeting, we authorized rewards for 11 felony arrests plus reimbursed school resource officers for another 13 arrests within the schools, all in a one month period. This year we've paid off for arrests of murderers, a person making a bomb threat, parole violators, sexual predators and more.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, one of over 1,200 programs in more than 20 countries. We meet one a month at the Camarillo Police Station with our board and law enforcement in attendance.
The new year is coming up. We need a good, computer-savvy secretary and a treasurer who can handle our simple accounting needs and use QuickBooks. Investment of time is about eight hours per month for each job. Other board positions are available.
If interested, call me at 805-512-6996 or email me at rworthley@att.blackberry.net
Posted by simidiver on August 8, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
high_society ... did you possibly mean we need to MOBILIZE a full force of people ?
Posted by Crime_Stopper on August 8, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To those of you who have already contacted me, my heartfelt thanks. high_society is providing a forum that will be free from political correctness which is all too often an impediment to resolving issues of neighborhood blight and crime. Crime is crime and code violations are code violations. Both must be addressed with an eye to solutions and open minds, wherever that may take us. Think in terms of prevention, intervention and enforcement. Thanks, high_society, for being willing to step up to the plate and to make a difference.
Posted by Crime_Stopper on August 8, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
njnp, though it is difficult to keep a home page uncluttered, a link to the Most Wanted seems to be a good idea. As I have learned today, many look, few post. The Star has been most gracious in offering about 1/3 page of very expensive space for the Most Wanted each week ... as well as space in Fronteras, their new Spanish language publication that is on the news stands in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties each Friday. Though we sometimes don't agree with published suspect descriptions, their commitment to the community is clear as evidenced by their contribution in the form of Most Wanted of Ventura County / Los Mas Buscados del Condado de Ventura. When it comes to persons for which a valid warrant exists, the Star doesn't hesitate to give a complete description.
Posted by opns on August 8, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Worthley, It was a pleasure speaking with you today, you were so informative and supportive, and very motivating.
I just left from meeting HIGH_SOCIETY, and I must say, is an incredible person. It was such a pleasure meeting HS, and not very persons out there would be willing to stepup to the plate. HS calm personality and disposition was very impressive, and I am sure that she will make a difference, and I definately could see her going far.
We look forward to meeting with you soon.
Regards
HS, you are one very unique person, it was a pleasure.
Posted by opns on August 8, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cont'd
It would be nice to see a link on the front page of your website at the very top close to the "News Headlines rss" blue bar. Linked to:
http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers...
Ventura County Star - could this be done?
It sure would help.
Posted by jlfrenes on August 28, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the real gangsters are wearing the badge
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