ANTHONY, N.M. -- Residents of this small town described a "community in crisis" during a crowded meeting Tuesday evening about a gang problem they said was born of a lack of recreational activities, of drug abuse and of few law enforcement officers.

"With what is going on lately, it feels like our town is being taken away from us and we need to take our town back," said Teresa Nevarez, who was among about 150 people in an overflowing room in a seniors center.

After the meeting, Nevarez described being afraid that her sons could be jumped while walking in the street by someone who asks them what gang they are in and that they don't answer correctly.

The meeting, hosted by Dona Ana County Sheriff Todd Garrison and County Commissioner Dolores Saldana-Caviness, was in response to street gang violence that led to the gang killings of two teenagers since May. On Sunday, a 17-year-old man was stabbed multiple times while walking on a street.

Hand after hand was raised by residents who asked questions, shared experiences or made
suggestions on what could be done to restore peace to the unincorporated working-class town of about 8,000 residents on the Texas-New Mexico state line.

The problem has been brewing for years because of a lack of attention and activities for youth, said Paul Williams, president of the Anthony Sports Association. "I saw this coming 10 years ago," he said.

The meeting will be the start of a series of gatherings to be scheduled, Garrison said.

Residents hope to expand alternatives such as a boxing program, find ways to remove graffiti and set up neighborhood watch programs and look into other measures such as a juvenile curfew and school uniforms.

"We will take the neighborhoods back. This is your town but we need your help to do that," Garrison told the crowd.

Parents are often in denial that their children are in gangs, Undersheriff Charles Franco said, while holding up a T-shirt with a gang name -- a shirt belonging to a murder suspect whose parents said he wasn't in a gang.

Sheriff's officials said they were understaffed and needed the public to become involved in helping stop gang activities.

Residents described a number of experiences:
 - A mother found drugs in her son's room. "They are poisoning our kids since elementary school," she said.
 - A homeowner chased off vandals after becoming angry about having a wall covered with graffiti. "I used to be tagged all the time. My father's answer to that was 'Dejenlos, son los perros' (Leave them alone, they are dogs).' I said, 'No, that's my white wall. I want it to stay white.' We can't be afraid."
 - A woman was told by a 911 dispatcher that the gunfire she heard was probably fireworks. "Guess what -- they (gang members) were running with guns."

Daniel Borunda may be reached at  546-6102.

El Paso Times www.elpasotimes.com
 

Operation No Gangs	Prevention Education Jail Diversion Advocacy
(505) 346-0679	Anthony, NM El Paso, Texas Cd. Juarez, Chih

 

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