Police chief speaks out on gangs

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

As city officials expressed remorse over another teenager killed in gang-related violence, Police Chief Cam Sanchez issued a warning to gang members and associates in Santa Barbara.
“This is not acceptable behavior,” Chief Sanchez said, speaking at today's City Council meeting. “...We will come after those who make the conscious decision to victimize any citizen of this city.”

Chief Sanchez told the Council he could not answer specific questions about the stabbing death of 16-year-old Lorenzo Valentin Carachure on Tuesday evening, but said officers have been working exhaustively on the investigation.
“A lot of people are on this case, and none of them have gone home,” Chief Sanchez said.
Sanchez said his men are “not discouraged” and will continue with projects such as reinstating bike patrols that his department started in the wake of the stabbing death of 15-year-old Angel Linares on State Street in March.
Mayor Marty Blum said when she first heard about Carachure’s death, her heart immediately went out to his parents and the parents of his killers.
“We’ve got to stop this violence among young people,” Mayor Blum said. “...We can’t condone it.”
When asked what is being done to prevent gang violence, Mayor Blum said since March the city started getting families involved at neighborhood centers and La Casa de la Raza, and raised parking ticket fees to support afterschool programs.
“But no afterschool program is going to last until 10 o’clock,” Mayor Blum said. “At 10 o’clock at night, these kids should not be out wandering into other neighborhoods with their knives and bats. ... It’s a little frustrating, because we’ve been doing a lot.”
Mayor Blum said she is looking into Internet safety precautions and plans to speak with elementary teachers this fall. She also said she wants to examine the success of family outreach programs and is remaining positive.
“The neighborhoods are starting to stand up and say this is not okay,” Mayor Blum said. “I think that’s a good sign. But we can’t tolerate this. We didn’t want to last time, and we don’t ever want to again.”
Councilmember Iya Falcone applauded the efforts of the police department, telling Chief Sanchez, “I really want people to know that you and your force are out there ... to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Councilmember Falcone said the bike patrols have made an enormous difference, and people want to see officers on the street and on bikes rather than in patrol cars. She also commended police officers for their work in tracking down and arresting suspects.
“Our force has a stellar track record of catching the people who committed these acts,” Councilmember Falcone said. “...That stands to speak incredibly loudly. Our public safety in this town is of the highest caliber.”
Chief Sanchez said he is remaining optimistic about the youth in Santa Barbara, telling the Council that the majority of young people, even those who are gang or former gang members, are turning their lives around and doing positive things.
“It’s a small percentage of individuals that cast a negative light on a community,” he said, adding, “There’s only so much any of us can do.”