GANGS NOT WELCOME IN REDDING/SHASTA COUNTY
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, REDDING LIFESTYLES, SHASTA COUNTY
September 24th, 2008
Redding Police Chief Lenoard Moty and Sheriff Tom Bosenko addressed Realtors this morning to discuss efforts to keep gangs from putting down roots in this part of the north state. Redding’s efforts began in the early 1990’s, 
when gangs were expanding from urban centers. Then Police Chief Bob Blankenship formed the first task force to focus on preventing gangs from getting a foothold in our city. The task force morphed into S.A.G.E. (Shasta Anti-Gang Enforcement) a multi-agency task force that includes law enforcement representatives from Redding, Anderson and Shasta County.
They meet weekly and review intelligence gathered on suspected gang activities/members and decide what course of action to take. Redding has 80-100 “gang” members that for the most part are inactive. In fact, when S.A.G.E. members travel to other cities around the state, they hear law enforcement tell them that gangs in their area know better than to try to establish themselves in Redding. Once they cross the Shasta County line, the task force is waiting and will make sure they know they are not welcome here. It is not unusual for two dozen law enforcement officers to visit a gang wannabe and let them know they are aware of their presence and will be watching them closely.
Tehama County and Chico have not done as well. Red Bluff and Tehama County have more than 1000 documented gang members. Chico has a gang problem (including shootings and murders), but their police chief, who relocated from a Southern California city, doesn’t feel they have a problem. Of course he is looking at it from the viewpoint of where he comes from, an area infested with gang related problems. He further believes the gang members live in neighboring communities, therefore not much he can do to stop the problem.
Signs of gang activity to watch out for include:
- Graffiti-look for the numbers 13 or 14 or artistic tags (Graffiti Hotline: 225-6211)
- Clothing- red, blue or black
- Attitude-walk with authority and may try to make you bump into them to try to start a fight
- Bandannas- hanging out of pocket or draped over shoulder
Some local high school gang wannabes know they cannot where gang clothing at school so sometimes they bring a change of clothes in a duffel bag and change clothes as soon as they leave campus. Law enforcement encourage citizens to report any suspected gang activity and graffiti and they will investigate/remove it immediately. Call 530-225-4200.
Biker gangs are also trying to establish themselves locally. Chief Moty stated citizens should not be fooled by some of their community events such as toy drives as they are a cover for their drug running operations.
I, for one, am glad to see our local law enforcement sending a clear message to gangs they are not welcome here and will find life very difficult if they try to set up shop. I was raised in a gang infested area of LA and never want to see those groups take over our city. Many parts of California have lost the battle to keep gangs out. Let’s all do our part to keep gangs out of our corner of California.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
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