| For Immediate Release January 25, 2008 | Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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PERMANENT INJUNCTIONS SIGNED AGAINST TWO SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY RIVAL GANGS FOR TERRORIZING NEIGHBORHOODS AND VIOLENTLY WARRING IN THE COMMUNITY
SANTA ANA – Two injunctions were permanently signed today by the Honorable Daniel Didier against rival South Orange County criminal street gangs to enjoin gang members from San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano from terrorizing their respective communities and acting as a public nuisance. In the one month following the signing of the preliminary injunction on November 16, 2007, San Clemente had a 33.3 percent decrease in gang related calls for service compared to the month leading up to the injunction. San Juan Capistrano had a decrease of 85 percent in gang related calls for service during that same time.
The preliminary injunction was signed against 94 San Clemente and 132 San Juan Capistrano active gang participants. Of those, permanent injunctions were signed this morning against 92 San Clemente and 121 San Juan Capistrano named defendants. The 13 gang members who were not permanently enjoined today will go to trial to challenge their inclusion in the injunction by attempting to show that they are no longer active in their respective gangs.
These injunctions, the third and fourth in Orange County, are the first to be signed on the same day against rival gangs. The gang injunctions were served individually to each named gang member, as well as to the parents of juveniles, on October 17, 2007 by more than 300 officers representing 16 agencies throughout Orange County. The injunction was a cooperative effort between the City of San Clemente, City of San Juan Capistrano, Orange County District Attorney, and Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD).
WHAT IS AN INJUNCTION?
A gang injunction is a civil order that restricts or prohibits documented gang members from participating in specific acts or activities that may not be criminal. The terms are designed to curb intimidating or harassing behavior. If an enjoined gang member violates the terms, he or she will be arrested and face prosecution. This can be misdemeanor prosecution for disobeying a court order or felony prosecution if the violation was for the benefit of the criminal street gang. The defendant will be placed on gang probation terms or be sent to state prison for up to three years.