The Associated Press
CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) - In response to a wave of gang violence, city officials have created a special police task force in the hopes of combating the crime where it happens - on the streets.
The Street Crimes Task Force is made up of two specially trained police officers who can focus exclusively on gang activity without being hampered by multiple cases and calls, at a cost to the city of about $130,000.
Caldwell is putting every available resource into ending the recent spate of gang-related shootings, said Mayor Garret Nancolas.
“We wanted to make sure we had two officers who are doing nothing but the street crimes issue,” Nancolas said. “This is a pro-active measure to ensure we don’t have another escalation like this.”
Since July, police have received 170 reports of shootings in Nampa and Caldwell, Canyon County’s two largest cities. A large number were gang-related, police believe.
Most recently, 21-year-old Sigmund Goode was gunned down in front of a Caldwell home, and two men have been charged in connection with the Oct. 11 murder. But no arrest has been made in the August killing of 22-year-old Carlos Chavez in Caldwell.
Police Chief Bob Sobba said the task force will focus for now on identifying gang members and repeat offenders and finding out where they live. The officers are meant to be a visible deterrent to additional crime, Sobba said, and they will perform surveillance and find out what conflicts exist between rival gangs.
“We’re going to put them right in the heat of the activity,” Nancolas said.
Still, the mayor said, the community must be involved in fighting gangs.
“We need to be all responsible for the activities within our community,” Nancolas said. “Really the solution lies within our own homes, teaching children respect for the law, respect for life.”