San Mateo's Gang Task Force Credited for Low Murder Rate

SAN MATEO (KCBS) - There are 2,700 known gang members in San Mateo County, yet the gang-related homicide rate in San Mateo County is among the lowest in the state.

Law enforcement credits a cooperative effort between the county's gang-task force, which teams police chiefs from 20 cities to prevent gang violence, and to go after major offenders.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

According to San Mateo County Sgt. Leo Capovilla, most members are affiliated with the Norteno and Sureno gangs.

"Predominant fashions of our gangs here in are separated with the red and blue, the northerners versus the southerners," said Capovilla, who was referring to the gang colors commonly worn and associated by their members.

Sgt. Capovilla added that gang activity includes drugs, violence and extortion and is often driven by money. Police chiefs from around the county stood shoulder to shoulder in front of a table of confiscated weapons, including Colma police chief Bob Lotti.

"When the gang task force is deployed, it is the single largest law-enforcement agency in the county. Typically on a gang task force night, there'd be between 20 and 30 members of the gang task force out there," said Lotti.

San Mateo County sheriff Greg Monks says the gang task force is being funded with existing resources and applauded the collaborative efforts of the various police departments within the county.

Records show that this past summer, there were 460 gang member arrests in San Mateo County.

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