Novato Officials Vow To Get Tough On Gangs

NOVATO (KCBS) -- Novato city leaders are taking an unusual approach to alert the public about an increase in gang violence. Earlier in the week two people were wounded in a gang-related shooting at a supermarket parking lot.

Novato City Manager Michael Frank and police Chief Joseph Kreins issued a three-page public letter to residents and posted it on the city's website.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

"The city will continue to work with our local community groups and allied law enforcement agencies to develop both short- and long-term strategies to address continuing criminal activity associated with local street gangs," the letter stated.

"We've been fortunate that our criminal incidents related to gangs have been limited to about 25 incidents over the last couple of years, but nevertheless we're seeing an increasing trend between Novato and San Rafael up to the northern part of Marin County," said Kreins.

Whenever there is a shooting like Monday's there is concern that there could be more violence.

"We could see a retaliatory event three months from now, or six months from now, or even a year from now, and maybe not even in Novato, it might happen in San Rafael or some other jurisdiction," said Kreins.

Kreins said his department is focused on enforcement as well as early intervention to steer teens away from gangs. He says that will now be even more difficult though because of budget cuts. At one time his department had three officers focused on middle and high schools, but now that program is scheduled for elimination later this year.

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