Lopez said the calls he responds to "are most violent up in the grid," Lopez said. "I don't have to work hard to find something to do."

In recent months, gang activity has been on the rise in Anthony, but it was only after the gang-related deaths of two Anthony residents that residents have decided to take back their streets.

On July 1, Alberto Soto, 14, was shot and killed in the 300 block of Lincoln. On May 18, Gerardo Baltazar, 17, was fatally shot in the 1800 block of Livesay. And last month, a teen was injured in a gang-related stabbing as he was walking with friends down a street in the grid.

The sheriff's department has so far hosted two community meetings that have attracted about 100 or more people. The Gadsden Independent School District also hosted a meeting last week to educate parents on gang characteristics and prevention, and district officials have proposed implementing a dress code at Gadsden Middle School in Anthony to curb gang activity.

Both sheriff's deputies and parents say that the increase in gang activity may be partly blamed on the lack of youth recreational activities. In June, the Valley Community Library on Fourth Street closed its doors, but Dona Ana County officials said that it may be reopened on county-owned property on Landers Road.

"There's not much for the kids to do here," Lopez said, adding that he recently had to ask children who were playing soccer at Anthony Elementary School to leave because the campus was closed and off limits, though he regretted having to do so.

"In Chaparral they have a park and a skate park. The parents and kids line up there like it's Disneyland," Lopez said.

Anthony resident Olga Tarango said she would like to see a better park with youth activities built in the area. There is currently a park that sits just beyond the New Mexico state line in Anthony, Texas, with a basketball court and a small playground.

"We need things in the community for the kids to do," Tarango said. "That way there will be less time for the kids to spend on the streets."

During a community meeting July 25 at Anthony Elementary School, Ramon V. Montijo, a former gang officer with the Los Angeles Police Department who now lives and works in New Mexico, said the biggest issue to fighting gangs lies not only in increased youth activities, but at home.

"We seem to have forgotten that family begins at home," Montijo told attendees of the meeting. "You have a gang problem. It's not so big that you can't solve it, but you have to acknowledge that you have a problem before you can fight it."

At a community meeting on Friday, sheriff's deputies urged the community to band together and get involved. Deputies said there are plans to increase uniformed presence, restart bike patrols in the area and work with the community to start Neighborhood Watch groups.

Also, plans are under way to begin the Anthony Community Action Group, which would consist of law enforcement agencies and youth and community leaders from New Mexico and Texas, and representatives from La Tuna federal prison and the Anthony and Gadsden school districts.

To address the growing graffiti problem in the area, sheriff's deputies are planning a community graffiti cleanup Saturday and Sunday. To report graffiti in Anthony, N.M., call the sheriff's graffiti hot line at (505) 525-5599.

Adriana M. Chavez may be reached at  546-6117.

Gang activity
How to tell if gangs are infiltrating your neighborhood:
# Rampant graffiti.
# Widespread vandalism, auto thefts and robberies/muggings.
# Senseless crimes of violence.
# Fighting between youths followed by crimes committed with weapons.
# Citizen complaints of thugs causing fear and intimidation in their neighborhood.
# Youths commonly seen traveling in groups.
# Drug trafficking and use.
Source: Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department.

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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