Valley has unique gang problems and solutions

 

Valley schools don’t face the same gang-related problems as other schools in the county, according to authorities.

“The majority of gang-related calls are from Lompoc and Santa Maria areas,” said Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Alex Tipolt. “(But) gang enforcement is the same throughout the county. We take the same pro-active approach, which mimics other agencies, such as Lompoc PD, Santa Maria PD, plus there’s a communication among agencies to further identify people that are involved in gangs.”

With the fall semester coming to a close, many schools hold half-days during final examinations — an occurrence that happens only four times a year but causes headaches for school officials, law enforcement and surrounding communities that try to prevent gang-related assaults, fights and crimes.

“We have very few gang problems but we are very pro-active when we see any activities that resemble even a hint of gang activity,” said Norm Clevenger, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School principal.

 

As do most schools in the county, Santa Ynez High holds two half-days during fall semester and winter semester on which school ends at 1 p.m.

 “Our schedule is set up so that all our kids are out at 1 p.m. on Mondays, so parents and students are quite used to getting out early,” Clevenger said.

Though this doesn’t present much of a problem for valley authorities, gang-related activity and violence that have occurred on half-days keep school officials and other authorities on alert.

Just last year, 15-year-old Luis Angel Linares, an El Puente High School student, died after he was stabbed multiple times while reportedly participating in a gang fight that took place on State Street in Santa Barbara.

 

 “(Gang activity) is a community issue,” said Santa Barbara Police Department Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte. “We do take note of minimum days and we will continue to make adjustments to our law enforcement for minimum days.”

Santa Barbara schools and police officers have become vigilant in attempting to prevent gang violence on early school days. Some of the prevention strategies include adding more officers and bike patrols to areas where gang activity is known to take place. Schools also have been placing additional calls to parents informing them of upcoming half-days and holding parent-student lunches in an attempt to provide students with alternatives to gang activity.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School will be letting out early on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. There will be no school on Jan. 25.