In an attempt to keep this weekend’s Independence Rally, which
kicked off today, as peaceful as possible, law enforcement swept 14
Hollister residents off the streets and into jail Wednesday
night.
Hollister – In an attempt to keep this weekend’s Independence Rally, which kicked off today, as peaceful as possible, law enforcement swept 14 Hollister residents off the streets and into jail Wednesday night.
Some of those arrested had gang ties, while others were found to have violated conditions of their parole or probation, according to police.
It was the second such sweep in two weeks in which local law enforcement agencies had cooperated. Eight arrests were made during the first.
Police conducted just one such sweep before last year’s rally, which netted 11.
Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller said they decided on a second sweep this year to send a clear message to anyone thinking about committing crimes this weekend and to keep those on parole or probation on their toes.
“We’re always concerned about public safety,” he said. “The reason for two is that we want the violators to be off balance, frankly. They don’t know when we’re going to hit. And they don’t know when we’ll do another sweep.”
Prior to last year, Miller said, police had noticed a rise in gang activity during the rally. Miller noted that not everyone arrested has been a gang member or had gang ties, but that after last year’s sweep things were quieter.
“Last year was calmer (than the previous year),” Miller said. “When we take some of the people off the streets, it reduces the work load of the officers and sends a message to others that we’re watching, and hopefully they’ll think twice before doing something wrong.”
Taking proactive steps became even more important for law enforcement this year, according to Miller, because of reports of possible friction between rival motorcycle clubs, the Hells Angels and Mongols, which plan to attend this year’s rally.
With a heightened possibility of confrontation during the rally, a 16-member team of Hollister police officers, sheriff’s deputies, probation officers, state parole and state department of corrections officers spent about six hours Wednesday night checking up on people in the hopes of curtailing crime during the rally. None of those arrested were members of outlaw motorcycle clubs.
Another function of such sweeps, according to Miller, is as a preventative measure in conjunction with the department’s ongoing crime suppression program. And although some of those arrested could be released before the weekend’s over, Miller hopes the sweep will make them hesitate before committing other crimes or violating the conditions of their probation or parole.
“It always helps,” Miller said. “Not just for the rally, but day-to-day in Hollister.”
The task force focused on probationers or parolees who had submitted a positive drug test, missed an appointment with a probation officer, were found to be associating with known gang members, had a warrant for their arrest or exhibited factors that kicked up a red flag for officers, according to Assistant Chief Probation Officer Tina Armer.
While a significant number of arrests were made, Armer said it was extremely successful from a probation standpoint. The good news, according to Armer, was that 23 of the 31 people on the probation department’s list to check were in compliance.
Of the 14 arrests, only seven were in violation of their probation and one had violated his parole, she said. The other six people apprehended were either found committing a crime or had a warrant for their arrest, she said.
While 10 juveniles were on the list, only two were found to have violated their probation – one for underage drinking and the other for possession of an illegal weapon, she said.
“It’s a high percentage of places we went to,” Armer said. “Especially the kids. There were a couple who I knew were doing well, who have lived a long, hard life, and I’m glad to see they didn’t get arrested.”
The 14 offenders arrested in the sweep include: Sophia Prado, 19, Ruben Lopez, 25, David Ramirez, 24, Juan Meza, 24, Leo Rueda, 20, Filberto Ramirez, Sr., 58, Filberto Ramirez, Jr., 20, Martha Ortiz Casteneda, 24, Crystal Pereda, 20, Michael Samora, 30, Crystal Gonzales, 24, Greg Larios, 21, and two 17-year-old males.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
