Gang sweep:  Rid communities of violent elements

Gang activity must be eradicated in order for citizens to enjoy their basic right of a peaceful community.

Dona Ana County's gang sweep, which accounted for 129 arrests this month, certainly helps that goal.
The sweep included localities on El Paso's doorstep, to include Sunland Park and Chaparral in adjacent New
Mexico. And it included nearby Anthony, N.M., which had two gang-related homicides this summer.

Confiscated were an assault rifle, a sawed-off shotgun, three handguns and a pound of marijuana. Also, a man
wanted in a gang-related shooting in Truth or Consequences was apprehended.

Earlier this month, authorities in the county not only conducted community meetings, but oversaw a large graffiti
cleanup.

"About two weeks ago ... they (deputies) had all sorts of kids up against a wall. They have not graffitied our wall
since that cleanup," said Anthony resident Irma Fernandez.

The town has also seen a drop in gang activity since the meetings and the cleanup, which shows that concerned
citizens can help make their community safe.

Gangs in this area are most often involved in illicit drugs, among other nefarious activities, thus there is most
often a carryover into violence.

Bob Nevarez, a spokesman for the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department, said: "We are letting them (gang
members) know we are taking back the streets."

They are the streets in the neighborhoods that belong to the citizens, not violent hoodlums. The streets should not
be allowed to become gang turfs, and it's good to see the citizens working with authorities to make sure that
doesn't happen in this area.

We applaud the task force that not only made arrests, but gathered information on more than 300 known
gangsters in Dona Ana County.
 
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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