Fresno gang member guilty in kidnapping

566 felony arrests in ongoing gang sweep

Fresno police have made 566 felony arrests, taken 214 parolees into custody, arrested 206 Bulldog gang and 90 West Fresno gang members and confiscated 30 firearms in an ongoing anti-gang operation since Aug. 10.

The operation was launched in response to 25 gang shootings between July 10 and Aug. 9.

State fights gangs in Fresno

Gang violence is a local problem, but wiping it out will require a coordinated statewide solution, Gov. Schwarzenegger said Tuesday in Fresno as he announced the launch of an anti-gang initiative to boost law enforcement efforts and also provide job training for at-risk and gang-involved youths.

Schwarzenegger appointed Paul Seave of Sacramento, former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California, to head the new Office of Gang and Youth Violence Policy.

"As you get rid of gangs in one city, they pop up somewhere else," Schwarzenegger told a gathering in the Fresno City Hall Annex that included Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer and California Highway Patrol Commissioner Mike Brown. "We need to do more than just lock people up."

20 arrested in Fresno citywide gang sweep

The number of felony arrests made by Fresno police in a citywide anti-gang operation climbed Thursday to 220.

The sweep was launched in response to 25 shootings in the city from July 10 to Aug. 9. District Crime Suppression Teams, the Bulldog and West Fresno tactical teams and other special units are involved in the effort, police spokeswoman Cynthia Valdez said.

Police have taken into custody 77 parolees, 82 Bulldog gang members and 54 west Fresno gang members. In addition, 17 firearms have been seized, Valdez said.

Peace for one day

Olive Avenue in Sanger has long been home to the notorious Olivo Street Bulldog gang.

But on Saturday, the infamous two-block street became home to bounce houses, carnival games and free food as part of an effort by the mayor and local church organizations to quell the city's growing gang problem.

"We want to bring artists out there -- and food -- and show them that you can have fun without being in a gang," said Sanger Mayor Michael Montelongo, who shook hands with residents at the first Olive Avenue block party.

'Target all gangs'

So Police Chief Jerry Dyer and company want to rid Fresno of The Bulldogs. All young Chicanos wearing red shirts and sporting shaved heads, beware. Never mind that you're not a Bulldogs gang member, the department wants you. Dang, now I have to grow my hair out and stop wearing the T-shirts of the team I root for.

I believe Chief Dyer's intentions are good, but doesn't he realize that when one criminal organization is brought down, others are waiting enthusiastically to take its place? When the Taliban was brought to its knees, did that put a stop to terrorism? So beware. With Fresno Bulldogs out, Los Angeles gangs will move in. L.A. gangs are a lot more organized and have a lot more members.

Why not target all gangs, including racist skinheads and others? According to Chief Dyer, "The Fresno Bulldogs are notoriously unorganized." I'd rather have that than more organized gangs from L.A. here.