You can’t even go to the gas station these days.

I don’t understand why people are going around thinking it’s OK to just shoot at people. “These are systemic problems that we want to address, most important, the long-term gang problem in the city,” the Justice Department said in its statement. In addition, the Justice Department said local law enforcement has received training on a number of subjects, including the use of improved technology.Īn Arizona State professor is conducting research on local gangs and will provide recommendations for addressing gang violence. So far, Compton has received training in gang prevention from Arizona State University, learned techniques to improve community relations from the Oakland Police Department, created youth programs and formed a parolee re-entry program, city officials said. The department declined requests to make available people in charge of the program nationally and locally to give specifics on how the network could bolster local efforts to contain crime. In a statement, the Justice Department said the program was meant to “provide a long-term, sustainable strategy” to reduce violent crime. Thatcher said it was too early to judge the effectiveness of the federal Violence Reduction Network. “It’s very troubling to us,” Thatcher said of the homicide increase. There are extra gang officers on the streets, sheriff’s officials said, and the city has started a public awareness campaign to urge the community to call in tips about crimes. Michael Thatcher, who heads the Compton station, said his department was taking the crime spike seriously and has deployed additional patrols, though he declined to give specifics. Last year’s tally of 13 killings was the lowest in more than a decade, according to figures provided by the Sheriff’s Department. Since then, homicides have fallen dramatically. The recent violence has yet to hit the levels seen more than a decade ago, when Compton recorded more than 70 killings in a single year. “But what it does is provide expertise and resources, and that helps in the long run.” “People think that the comes and cures all,” Zurita said. In addition, Compton is working on an application for a smaller grant that would offer training for authorities who deal with those who are mentally ill. Recently, the city applied for a $1-million grant from the Justice Department that would provide technology that detects and pinpoints the location of gunshots when they occur and youth intervention services over three years. In Compton, Satra Zurita said the federal partnership has helped get some “gang-bangers, pimps and young girls off the street.” The attention of multiple agencies, such as the Department of Justice, the FBI and the district attorney’s office is positive, “because you are communicating and resources match up,” she said.

However, Chicago, which is also part of the network, has suffered a dramatic increase in homicides while shootings are up 50% so far this year. So far this year, the number of killings in Oakland is down by more than 40% compared with the same period in 2015. Last year, Detroit police reported a decline in robberies and a slight drop in homicides. In Wilmington, Del., police created a new homicide unit and within a year, the city’s rate for solving killings tripled, federal authorities said. Other cities that have been a part of the federal network have had success in reducing and solving crime. Zurita and her sister, City Councilwoman Janna Zurita, knew the mother of one of the recent homicide victims. “We want people to know that we’re looking out for you,” said Satra Zurita, a local school board member who is helping the city manage the federal program. And city leaders said the federal program, the Violence Reduction Network, has already begun providing much-needed training and resources that will help deter crime. County Sheriff’s Department says it has boosted patrols. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)Īt a town hall meeting last week, city and local law enforcement officials reassured anxious residents that they were doing all they could to combat the problem. Jesus Sevilla rides his horse down West Caldwell Street where one of four killings occurred over the weekend of May 14-15, 2016, in Compton.

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