The Department of Homeland Security steps in to help SJPD with gang violence

June 25, 2011 2:48 pm PT
Glendale Calmerin
San Jose City Buzz Examine

San Jose Police Department

Credits:

Dai Sugano/San Jose Mercury News/AP

San Jose City is dealing with its highest murder rate in 20 years and most of these murder cases are gang-related. The Department of Homeland Security is stepping in for the first time on Monday to help the San Jose Police Department decrease gang violence.

The two agents of The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are giving a helping hand as well to reduce street gangs. The police chief is assuring the people of San Jose that the ICE is not interested in people's immigration status.

“The ultimate goal is to protect the community, protect the public and try to remove those folks from the community that are there who exploit people and commit crimes,"said Shane Folden, spokes person for ICE, during an interview with ABC 7 News.

According to the San Jose Police Department, there are 100 known gangs operating in the city with a total of around 6,500 members. San Jose City has witnessed six gang-related murders in 2010 and has doubled to 14 gang-related murders this year.

“The government laying off cops isn't helping lower the crime rate,” said Brandon Swaim, a deputy.

Due to the budget cuts, the police department dealt with 100 layoffs this year.

“A lot of people don't think that cops do much for our society when in fact they do,” said Bernardo Mulingtapang, a San Jose State student, “so it's obvious, then, that cutting our support for law enforcement is going to be detrimental in homicide prevention measures.”

Mulingtapang is encouraging the community to step up and help as well by continuing to support the SJPD. He recalls the McDonalds brawl in downtown San Jose on June 10. He said that a witness called for help when the brawl occurred but assistance didn't arrive until it was too late.

Dozens of people were involved in this massive brawl that was gang related out in the parking lot of a McDonald’s near San Jose State University at around 10 p.m. Two people were stabbed and hospitalized, and three others were injured.

“I think that bringing in the Department of Homeland Security is a good thing but it just shows that the SJPD is weak, “said Andre Lopez, a college student, “ and it continues to weaken with the mayor laying off cops.”


Source: http://www.examiner.com/city-buzz-in-san-jose/the-department-of-homeland-security-steps-to-help-sjpd-with-gang-violence#ixzz1QaFgp59Q

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