Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:43 PM:This is an improvement that was long overdue. Let's keep the gang injunctions in place and take down gang members.

What is it with the Latino community? Can't they stop their kids from joining gangs and ruining our quality of life?

Come on already! As a concerned citizen I've had enough.

WHY wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:10 PM:Why can't the ENTIRE city, indeed, the United States, be declared a "safety zone"?

Why can't 7.8 percent of the city be changed to 100 percent of the city???? Huh?
...

Leave it to the NC Times wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:10 PM:Leave it to the NC Times to report only what the sheriff's office tells them and also to include the heart warming story of the mom now unafraid to return to the park.

You see, I live in San Marcos as well...in one of the so-called gang infested zones. I haven't noticed any difference up or down concerning crimes and people on the street. I go the park and have never had a problem with anyone except the people there who fail to pick up dog poo.

What does the reported drop mean? Maybe the sheriff's deputies just don't want to make that many arrests. There are a whole host of assumptions that the NC Times doesn't even question about the drop in crime. A newspaper should really look into how those numbers are derived...if( IF being the operative word) they want to cogently discuss gangs in north county.

Hey if the crime rate goes up can we blame the Sheriff's Office? They take credit when the SD Co. produced and reported number drops, why not the blame when it rises...which it inevitably will!

The Sheriff's Office has a vested interest in maintaining the image that they are dealing with the gang problem...ok...that's what we pay them for. But this whole "gang" situation is an amorphous mess which few have any handle on and has REAL potential to infringe on everyone's civil liberites. The NC Times is doing us all a disservice with this type of reporting...get off your butts and INVESTIGATE where and how these numbers were derived. What else has changed that may have produced the "plummet" in gang crime? Is the lady in the park representative of all the people in the neighborhoods in question? Take Journalism 101 at Cal State San Marcos.

G-d no please wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:09 PM:Do NOT take Journalism 101 at Cal State San Marcos, as "Leave it" suggested--- you won't get your money's worth.

The BEST tool for improving writing skills, in my opinion, is a book about Writing by Stephen King called "On Writing". I learned more practical things from that book about writing than any college class on writing I ever took.

By the way-- "Leave it", I think you raise some important questions in your comment which need to be answered. Unfortunately, in today's society, I don't think they ever will be answered--- at least not truthfully.

If there is a cure for fire, firemen are out of a job.

If there is a cure for cancer, doctors are out of the job.

See how the cycle goes? It is all about money and power.

If a gang injunction covered 100 percent of America, why would we need police? MOST people are law abiding CITIZENS.

Always amazed wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:44 PM:I laugh at all the experts who ring in with their comments, don't trust what the Sheriff's Department says, etc...

All one has to do is go to Bradley Park and hang out for a week... The previous year you would see they deputies constantly talking to gang members as they hung out at the park... Now there are no gang members because they can't hang out there without being arrested...

As for arrests, yes the number could be skewed but dropped in half??? I would bet the radio calls involving gang members have also been dramatically reduced, not being able to hang out on your turf without getting arrested would obviously make the gang members stay indoors...

I also find it interesting "Leave it" insinuated the deputies might be lazy by not making as many arrests... yet "Leave it" probably would never have the guts to do their job..I find that alot on these blogs...The Sheriff's are hiring, stop chirping from the cheap seats and do something good for a change!

to Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:01 PM:I agree, that is a huge problem, probably because the parents have to work so many hours a day they aren't home to raise their kids, and society suffers as a result. These are some of the problems with illegal immigration that aren't talked about.

LATINO wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:28 PM:THIS IS FOR GREG IN OCEANSIDE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. US, THE LATINOS CAN CONTROL OUR KIDS TRUST ME ON THAT. NOT JUST LATINOS ARE IN GANGS, GET THAT STRAIGHT, THERES EVERY SINGLE RACE. I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR IDIOTIC COMMENTS. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE GANG MEMBERS DOWN I WANT YOU TO DO IT BY YOUR SELF MR. SMART MOUTH BECAUSE I DON'T SEE THE POLICE STOPING THE GANGS. I'VE SEEN THE POLICE JUST WATCHING WHILE THE GANGS ARE FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER. WHAT HAPPENED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT?

Janet B wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:27 AM:Greg in Oceanside is misguided to a shocking degree.

The Latino community is not sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing while “their kids” join gangs, wind up in jail, and mar their lives forever. Preventing your child from walking down the dangerous path of gang life is a struggle that many families have to face. It’s not like turning off a light switch.

Besides, the “Latino community” is not responsible for all of the gang members in the world. Plenty of other “communities”---- Caucasian, African America, Hispanic, Asian, etc. are equally guilty of “gang” activities. My brother is a former gang member, and he’s not a Latino... he's caucasian. Quit playing into stereotypes.

On another note, the mild degree of gang violence is north county is not “ruining out quality of life.” Widespread famine, disease, new forms of cancer, global warming, economic recessions, and lack of job opportunities are ruining our quality of life, just to name a few.

Roberto wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:04 AM:Think of all the tax dollars we can now save and use education,youth intervention-mentoring & mental illness...all those dollars not needed to stop gang members from killing each other....I like it!

Jim wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:59 AM:The real shame here is that they are willing to overlook the other areas of gang takeover if they just stay out of the "safety zones". I can't believe the cops are willing to look the other way for any type of gang activity just because they (gangs) supposedly stay out of the "safety zones". This is just like the look the other way attitude they have with illegals; well, as long as they don't bother us. It is still illegal and if there is a problem it needs to be eradicated, one way or another. I think this is bull that a family would have to curtail their activities because of gang activity.

AResident wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:28 AM:Please start learning ENGLISH. It you are planning on staying here. Learn the language.

Seriously wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:49 AM:Janet B, a parent leads by example, which means it isn't a struggle at all.

Can anyone tell me how many caucasian gangs there are in the north county?

Jim, isn't it illegal for most of these people to be in this country and don't the cops just look the other way...which leads them all to believe that if they can get away with this, then why not try that?

BETSY wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:04 AM:Learn ENGLISH, adapt to our CULTURE and STOP having so many kids...or at least teach them english...then they will most likely choose the right path and will have a brighter future.....

To Seriously wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:14 AM:For Escondido, anyway, the Chief of Police, Maher, recently told a gang forum that "Escondido has four gangs, ALL LATINO..." Surprise, surprise!!!

alf wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:37 AM:I didn't know latinos started the whole gang thing, crazy! Old racist white guys driving over sized trucks are ruining our qualitiy of life! Don't like north county....feel free to leave:)

It starts at home wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:44 AM:If parents would stand up and take authority in their homes, and know what their kids are into then we would not have such a big gang issue. Too many parents are afraid of their kids or are to worried about being their childs friend instead of first being a parent. If you instill values in them early in life and raise them to respect others then when they get older they will do those things that they were taught. But as long as parents stand by and let their children hang out until 2 am and have no involvement in their lives, then we will continue to have the issues we see today.

I am proud of the work that the SD is doing in San Marcos. You can go to either Escondido or O'side and see the difference in gang activity, and then come back and see how negative comments you have about the SD.

GFN wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:31 AM:We have a great gang environment: lots of school dropouts; parents who work many hours and are not home to monitor them; parents who don't speak the language or understand the culture; and a drug culture that encompasses all races and enables gangs to make lots of money. It takes great effort on the part of law enforcement AND the community to minimize the effect of gangs. They are like cockroaches; we need to keep strong and constant pressure on them. Thanks for your efforts and please keep it up.

CITIZEN wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:32 AM:THIS IS ALL A BUNCL OF CRAP THE NEWSPAPER AND SHIRIFF DEPARMENT FEED U .SEE I LIVE IN ONE OF THOSE AREAS MY YONGER BROTHER WENT TO SAN MARCOS MIDDEL SCOOL LAST SUMMER HE NEVER GOT PRESURED OR HARASSED BY GANGMEBERS ITS THE KIDS CHOICE TO JOIN A GANG .ALL THE SHIRIEFF IS GOOD AT IS HARRASING PEOPLE THAT DONT EVEN HAVE ANY CONECIONS WIT GANGS JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF TATTOS

Banger wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:57 AM:Look out other cities, here they come!

citizen wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:11 AM:I've lived across the street from Bradley Park for 15 years now and I would like to say a big "Thank You" to the SM Sheriff dept for continuing to enforce the gang injunction. Policing is supposed to be done for the benefit of the law abiding citizens of a community and to protect a good quality of life that those citizens should be able to expect.
Not tolerating gang behavior and mentally fits very nicely into that line of thought. Anyone who lives in one of these areas and thinks they havent seen a positive change is just fooling themselves.
Thank you San Marcos Sheriff department! Keep up the good work!

wow citizen.... wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:18 AM:Did you go to school in San Marcos too? Your spelling and grammar is terrible. Look like a duck, walk like a duck, for the most part is a duck.

OMG wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:30 AM:"Citizen", 9:32, is an example of what a San Marcos Sheriff has to work with. This is what the teachers have to work with...sad.

san marcos rules wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:00 AM:The ACLU needs to get involved here. These people are members of our community, and their civil rights are being grossly violated. Just because they are assembling does not mean it is for criminal purposes. They could just be discussing things like the Padres, or where to get the best burrito.

Activist wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:38 PM:I'm sure the activist will raise a flag on this one.

To San Marcos, are you being sarcastic?

UM I DONT UNDERSTAND wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:40 PM:You let the commenter "LATINO" (in ALL CAPS) say what he wanted to say, yet you censored me when I simply said:

Gang members = losers.

I don't get it.

ACLU wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:41 PM:Really?! The ACLU needs to get involved are you freaking KIDDING ME?!! So you think these KNOWN CRIMINALS have protection under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? WRONG!! They gave up all those rights when they decided to operate outside of society's conventions. Heck, most of 'em have been arrested enough times for a myriad of offenses that their 4th amendment rights have been signed away anyway. They deserve what they get and the ACLU would NEVER take up with criminals (although they come frighteningly close sometimes). Get a clue people, either that or go hang out in some gang infested areas in Esco or San Marcos and say you're with the ACLU, then see what happens.

Spellchecker wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:30 PM:The 9:32a.m. comment from CITIZEN had to be a joke. RIGHT??If it is not, it is no wonder our society is in trouble. This is exactly why people complain that the schools are allowing kids like this to graduate from high school. UGH!! At least they have their gang banger family to fall back on.

bogie wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:46 PM:wow citizen....
[-] wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:18 AM:

Your spelling and grammar is much worse than citizen's. Citizen missed an apostrophe and failed to capitalize Department. Is that terrible spelling and grammar to you? You also made two errors.

Dude wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:49 PM:This is a good start, Criminals, white, green, purple or brown need to fear the law.

Oceanside Police, are you paying attention???

Transplant wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:45 PM:I was born and raised in San Marcos. My legally emigrated Mexican parents had me and my 3 siblings, of which I am the oldest, in San Diego county. I'm an accountant in Orange County, married (to a Caucasian wife), and have twins on the way. My sister is a teacher. My youngest brother is heavily involved in the theater and is a musician. My other brother is a member of one of the two gangs mentioned in this article. My parents raised us all the same way. They had the same expectations from all of us. We were all rewarded and punished in the same fashion. How did my parents end up with three seemingly normal offspring and one sociopath? Gang members are jsut that... sociopaths. They'll hurt anyone that gets in there way (even family) and won't feel an remorse (unless they get caught). I welcomed the first injunction with open arms. Thank goodness for the revised injunction. Boneheads, like my brother, are now thinking twice before doing something that will earn them a life sentence. Like I've posted before, San Marcos belongs to us... the one's that know the true meaning of respect.

SM Resident wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:06 PM:I have lived in San Marcos for 3 years, and I have noticed a lot less graffiti on public signs and walls over the past year or two. It was a lot worse before then. I remember visiting my girlfriend at the time who lived right next to Bradley Park, and the gang presence was definitely felt. Heck, her brother used to be in a gang when he was younger, but he has now grown up, runs a business, and has a family. All it takes is community and family support. Give them an alternative to gang life and they'll most likely take it.

Drop the stereotypes, guys. It doesn't help a public discussion.

Also, I don't think gang members realize how unsafe a community can be for them. In my neighborhood alone we have about 3 sherrifs living there, and you'd have to be stupid to deal drugs, fight, or break into people's cars/homes in that neighborhood--and that's just the guys you'd expect to have guns on site. It's all the other home owners that would be justified in protecting their homes, families, and neighbors.

Cora wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:39 PM:Yes, why can't 100% of a town be designated as a safe-zone...? The injunction should apply to all areas within the city limits. Why accommodate the criminals?

ILlL MiSS EM wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:13 PM:I miss seeing the shaved head guys walking the streets in their knee high white sox and white shoes. It reminds me of Halloween. Always a good laugh.

To SM Resident wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:22 PM:After you've put up with this for a few decades, then you go ahead and tell people to drop this or that. Until then, why don't you shut up?

esteban wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:42 PM:To "leave it to the NC Times"....might you be one of the named people on the injunction? Maybe a gang wannabe? You seem really defensive.

man on the street wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:50 PM:Man, some of you people are clueless!
okay lets clear up a few things...First of all (Betsy,AResident,ect)Illegals DO NOT I repeat, DO NOT! join many North County gangs. This is a popular fact but it is wrong. Why? You might ask? Many local street gangs do not like illegals or care for them. Many gang members see themselves better(more American) than them(illegals).
They see them as country bumkins or their backwards cousins of the countryside. Most recently arrived immigrant youth actually strive and do good in school. The sad truth most American born Mexican youth are the ones that drop out,commit crimes,and end up dead or in jail. Believe me their is a world of difference between Mexican-American and recently arrived
Mexican youths and adults as well. They are not all the same.

Jay wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:02 PM:If you read Citizen's comments again using a Jamaican accent it makes sense.

The Fashion Police wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:02 PM:Padres apparel and Chargers apparel banned because they are considered gang apparel? I can understand wearing a Raiders jacket in San Diego on a summer day but Chargers and Padres? I would start by banning the sagging pants in schools. It is sad that we are living in a day where our youth must turn to gangs as a viable option to be accepted and feel they can belong. It says volumes of our community, churches and schools.

anon wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:04 PM:Mmm...Mr. Taco...

Jessica wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:07 PM:I hear a lot of excuses when I read what many people comment on. As a recent CSUSM graduate, I think we need to stop and think a little more before we talk. The people who are here to judge and not educate themselves need to realize that you do not know what it is to be a latino and face the struggles we do. No one wants their children to be gang members and I agree with those who say there is more to gangs than just latinos. And maybe if latinos had access to birth control or and education than maybe the latino people would be better off. This is the second time in the last week that I see an article targeting latinos and illegal immigrants. Educate yourself, do not be ignorant.

hey esteban... wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:19 PM:I'm a middle aged white dude raising a family. I'd just like to have some good reporting rather than the capitulation of the news coverage to the Sheriff's Dept. From your previous posts, I guess you're satisfied with poor news coverage and the anti-immigrant tirades (as thinly disguised anti-latino racism). How DO you find the time to leave all those posts with Oprah and Maury on the tv?

hooligan wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:26 PM:THUG LIFE

st Amendment...look it up wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:16 PM:I have been censored on many occasions by this newspaper in these discussion forums. None were obscene and simply offered a specific opinion, which somehow hit the censors at NCT wrong. Get out of the censorship business and let people express their OPINIONS. Or else change your banner to North China Times.

Bill wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:20 PM:Now if Bonnie D would just go after that other street gang?

You know?

The ones that wear badges?

Whatever happened to Frank White anyway??

That story sure went away didnt it?

Now, all we have to worry about is being hit with a stray bullet from a reckless discharge of a cops weapon.

I guess Bonnie will get to that.

ALBERTO wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:38 PM:Jessica,are you for real.Did you say access to birth control.SAVON and you do not need a college edc.Go back to school.

Where is El Grupo wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:01 PM:Where is Flores on this on? I'm sure he will take the gangs side as he is against deporting criminal illegal gang members.

Hey Where is El Grupo wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:12 AM:What part of "illegal" don't you understand? Sorry but you can't blame it on the illegals this time. Most these gangs are Americans of Mexican descent.
Like "Man on the street" post stated illegals actually want to improve their lives not mess it up like their American born cousins.

to st Amendment...look it up wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:24 AM:Did you even look up and read the 1st Amendment? Here it is for you so you can actually read it. The NC Times does not have to post your comments. It is THEIR newspaper and under the this amendment it gives NC Times that right. Now, if you want to write your own newspaper or blog you have the right to do that without being censored.

Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

to Transplant wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:47 AM:Well said!

to Transplant wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:37 AM:Hi Transplant,
Could you please contact the North County Times newsroom? We think your family's story and perspective on the gang issue would be very useful to include in our future coverage. Please write to staff writer Dan Simmons at dsimmons@nctimes.com.
Thank you!

to to st Amendment... wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:35 PM:The press wraps itself in the first amendment and considers itself the 4th branch of government. I merely point out the irony.

- wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:09 AM:To Jessica, school all the way up to high school are free, to any race, and from there you can get financial aid that can pay for your whole college, which is what I get. So school is readliy available to every one. Every race in this country has the opportunities as the next. Actually more scholarships and money are given out to mexicans and african americans than to white kids. So really there isn't much excuse; you just have to apply yourself. I had many mexican friends and many of them got scholarships and went to college.
There are also tons of free clinics that give out numerous types of free birth control options, and even some school have free birth control for students. so those two excuses are not to be blamed for gangs occurrences.

Whats your excuse wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:33 AM:Too many people use their ethnicity or the color of their skin as an excuse.
Take ownership of your actions and don't blame others if life is difficult. Life is difficult, but it's not because of your race.