A better, immediate plan to address gang violence in Hollister
is necessary because, after last weekend’s homicide on Chappell
Road and a likelihood for retaliation, there’s no time to debate
over funding deficiencies or trudge through a typically inefficient
bureaucratic process.
A better, immediate plan to address gang violence in Hollister is necessary because, after last weekend’s homicide on Chappell Road and a likelihood for retaliation, there’s no time to debate over funding deficiencies or trudge through a typically inefficient bureaucratic process.
The highest level of urgency must be felt throughout the law enforcement community.
The presence of gangs is nothing new in Hollister. But the city’s first homicide of 2007 on Friday – and a spat of gang violence this past year – is a wake-up call elected officials and law enforcement leaders must consider as they take steps now to protect the community’s well-being.
Staffing deficiencies on the Hollister Police Department must be fixed in the long run. Undoubtedly, however, there’s no reason to doubt there’s a serious potential for violence in the coming days among rival gang members.
So in the short term, law enforcement officials should implement the following changes: more aggressively calling attention to a public that wholly tends to be apathetic toward the problem; immediately increasing police presence in troubled neighborhoods, especially the area where the shooting occurred; and, perhaps most important, the police department and sheriff’s office must find a more effective way of collaborating to use countywide resources.
The most effective solution for now is getting more cops in gang-infested areas. While more police should patrol these neighborhoods in the coming days, two other approaches would send a message that police won’t tolerate such mayhem.
Police Chief Jeff Miller should consider assigning an officer to walk the streets, talk to residents about concerns and even knock on doors to let citizens know he or she is there.
Second, Miller himself should emphasize making his presence known near the shooting. By physically showing it’s the chief’s No. 1 priority, he would signal to gang members – and perhaps make them think twice about their actions – that police would aggressively pursue anyone who retaliates, that the department takes nothing more seriously than gang violence.
Miller continually has harped on a lack of funding causing staffing deficiencies. While supporters of a sales tax hike organize for another push on the November ballot after a failed attempt last year, citizens should remember such violence and what effect funding has on public safety.
Still, more money doesn’t necessarily equate to a better strategy toward fighting the gang problem here. And considering Measure R failed in November, there’s certainly no guarantee the funding will be there next year, either.
In this critical time for a department in its continuous battle against gangs, it’s time for creative solutions, as actions always speak louder than words.
