Cops up Fiesta and gang patrols

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara police officials have added more gang officers and bike patrols in gang-plagued areas in response to the stabbing death of a local teen and a recent spate of gang violence, authorities said.
Police officials also said they have a highly coordinated plan in place to ensure this year’s Fiesta celebration is safe and participants are well-behaved.

Officers have arrested and booked more than 40 suspects since July 16, when 16-year-old Lorenzo Carachure was stabbed to death near his home on San Pascual Street, Police Spokesman Paul McCaffrey said.
“Thirty-five of the arrestees were gang members or associates,” McCaffrey said, adding that arrest charges included assault with a deadly weapon, parole and probation violation, fighting, drug violations and committing a crime in the furtherance of a street gang.
Authorities said more than 60 residences have also been searched during the past few weeks, including several directly related to the July 16 homicide. McCaffrey said progress is being made in that case, but due to the ongoing investigation he cannot release any information.
As Fiesta festivities get underway, police officials assured the public that they are ready for anything, from public urination to a massive gang fight.
“We plan for problems,” McCaffrey said. “We don’t just cross our fingers and hope for the best.”
He said the police department will have a “very full cadre of gang officers,” many on foot and ready to respond to any major incident with the ability to bring 30 to 40 officers to one location within a few minutes.
“If they know that is out there just around the corner ... it has a kind of calming effect,” McCaffrey said.
Also dissuading gang members and associates visiting from cities like Ventura and Camarillo is the prospect of spending a few days in County Jail among less-than-friendly local company, McCaffrey said. He visited several Fiesta events yesterday and reported that so far it’s been calm and safe.
“Last year we had the same worries, and we did not have any significant or major incidents or gang problems,” he said.
The busiest nights for police and gang officers during Fiesta are Friday and Saturday, authorities said, adding that gang-related incidents usually occur late in the evening when families and kids are not out and about.
“We’re going to do the best we can,” McCaffrey said. “We’re definitely willing to step up and do what needs to be done.”