By the way, I am glad there is a police force. Things would be a heck of a lot crappier without one.

It did not surprise me, thewaywardwind. I'm under no delusions. The only thing I feel is frustration, really - the frustration most citizens feel: on the one hand having both hands tied by a legislature, on the other, trying to do the right thing by getting "the pillars" involved only to be dismissed and ignored by them. It's nothing new, but frustrating nonetheless.

John123, why do you ask?

Wisp...I don't know why you're surprised the VPD won't get involved. Hell, they won't even write a traffic ticket to the person at fault in a car wreck when it's obvious he/she ran a stop sign if the cop didn't personally witness the accident. If they won't write a ticket, how can you expect them to do REAL police work such as fighting gang activity?

3rd Party.....what do you expect from someone who has no grasp of what law enforcement really is? He's been an emergency department supervisor his entire career! It's the equivalent of a civilian in charge of an army...wait, that's already happening!

"If we can get them behind bars, there is no retaliation," Ure said.

I hope our chief of police was mis-quoted and is not really this naive. I guess there has never been retalitation against someone from a "homie" of a gang member who was behind bars. If this is an accurate quote I would like to know what world does this man live in?

Wispoftow, what are you reporting?

I can't type; because I'm thinking of the money I could get if someone take's me up on that bet. I don't gamble, it's not a gamble when it's a sure thing.

I "could only" surmise, that many gang members are given short sentences; because they cooperate with the police. Despite being affiliated, a rAtA, is going to follow his or "her" true nature. I don't want anyone to say I'm bia's.

While many, I'm sure many will, will argue the need for intelligence; I "could guess" that these "person's" end up repeat offenders. The benefits of their "rolling over", negated by them re committing crimes onces released. This catch and release trick, to catch the bigger fish, is not working.

You might catch a bigger fish, but he or she is just replaced; why not try something different, just keep the one you got.

I'm willing to bet money, with Vega's odds against me, that at least one of those caught will get a shorten sentence.

Any taker's, maybe the Victoria Advocate could do a story on the "Catch and ReRelease tactic".

Dont' believe me Victoria Advocate, see if at least on of those guys get's a reduced sentence; ain't the system grand. That is why Victoria has a violent gang problem, plain and simple.

Raven8, your point is a good one. But I will tell you that I have repeatedly - often! - called upon the police department to get involved. And they have repeatedly blown me off. I don't pretend to know why. But it is discouraging, to say the least. I am not impressed by most of the officers I have dealt with. I have, in several cases, done their detective work for them. I have said, "This person works here, this is his license number and description, now you can go deal with him." Nothing. I have said, "Here is a video (a VIDEO, for goodness sake!) of the person(s) doing something, now you can go deal with him/them." Nothing. The Victoria PD has been apathetic on numerous occasions with me, and I have no reason to assume they act otherwise for anyone else (unless handling the concerns of old-money, that is).

Great post John..very insightful!

I think it would be a great idea for Gabe to interview a gang memeber or two to get their perspective. I'm sure the police have a few in custody for safety purposes. Then interview a victim or 2, maybe some family members. Then do an article on the different gangs in the area & their markings.

You are correct John.

The Texas Rangers invented the drive by shooting while murdering two unarmed Tejanos. Shot them in the back, Texas Ranger Style.

The documentary, ''Border Bandits,'' based on the memoirs of a Texas rancher, offers a firsthand account of the murders by a carload of Texas Rangers driven by legendary Ranger, William Warren Sterling, who later led the force as adjutant general and mythologized his exploits (but not his shootings) in a popular 1959 memoir, ''Trails and Trials of a Texas Ranger.''

Kirby F. Warnock, whose grandfather, Ronald A. Warnock was the Texas rancher mentioned above, had tape-recorded his recollections of coming upon the two Texas Ranger murder victims and burying the bodies. It is well documented in the ''Border Bandits'' documentary.

The problem in dealing with criminal gangs is that the police have to catch individual gangmembers doing individual crimes and try them individually.

SOLUTION:
Make just being a member of a designated criminal gang a crime in and of itself. Then you can just round them all up and throw away the key.

I agree that there should be a "Fatal Funnel" type series on gangs. What they tend to wear, symbols, etc. This would help to be able to recognize gang affiliation. So we can be save.

Texas needs to set aside one prison unit -- probably a big one -- dedicated housing gang members only. Upon conviction, a gang member would be sent to that unit without consideration of his gang affiliation. Put'em all in together and pull out the guards. As long as they're only killing each other, Texas comes out ahead.

the original Texas Rangers, would be considered today a gang; this is historical fact folks. The best guns in Texas at the time had crimminal backgrounds; but it took a crimminal to catch a crimminal back then.

Despite their checkered past, these men saw the value in "Order", even if they were a little vague on the law. As they grew older and started families, "Law and Order" went hand in hand more often. That my friends is the real world, not television or cliff note reading.

I'm not supporting gang violence, just trying to promote greater awareness on the "Good Old Days"; kind of justice.

With refined training techniques, later the crimminal element was worked out of the Texas Rangers.

Gang violence is unacceptable, period.

Elements of the Mexican Mafia and others; regardless as to gang level, need to come to this understanding.

Instead of promoting violence in Victoria, poisoning their race with hate; because most tend to operate within their own racial make up, they should put a stop to it. If the Mexican Mafia wants to operate like professionals, then why not pursue legitimate enterprise.

Educate your members in various high paying fields, create cooperatives or unions; to garner tax revenue through fees. Use these cooperatives and unions to create more business opportunities, and provide greater service to their members.

Take a page out of what Native American tribes are doing; instead of dealing in illicit activities they send their members to college, set up businesses, and use profits from ventures to mail checks to members.

It's time to change, to be a better class of people; like President Obama said, "If not now then when".

The Mexican Mafia and others should take this moment in time and to put behind their past, and build their future.

I'm sick and tired of unnecessary gang violence; If these gang members are so stubborn, that they don't want to change, then I have nothing to say to them.

I hope that the police catch them, lock them up, and take them out!

"We all have a past of mistakes, but if we don't rise pass them we are destined to be history."

I'm not scared of the Mexican Mafia, but the Mexican Mafia should be scared of itself. Blacks enslaved blacks for 100's of years to Europeans, before the Europeans decided to enslave them. A Mafia was originally suppose to protect and empower it's people, not destroy them.

If you fail to learn, you just fail.

wonder how many of you'll are doing anything about crime in Victoria. You all talk tough, or at least write in your comments. How about participating in the ride along programs with the VPD and Sheriff or even riding with the Citizens on Patrol (COPS). If you see it, know about it, report it. Victoria does have a crime stoppers program also. You can also go on line to submit your tips @ victoriacrimestoppers.com. Come on people fight, this our city, our country.
to Happy2242 what would you call them? they are not law abiding citizens, when i took my oath, "against all enemies foreign and domestic. You sound like a bleeding heart type person who is unsure of your stance. Don't close your eyes, don't click your heels, because it's not going to go away.

swbrowns..your remarks are disgusting and I hope that you dont pass that trait on.And why is it that you drive around all day and everyday?Hope its work oriented since you're speaking of tax dollars wasted.

im not one for gang violence and all but im not one to just be ok with comments about public hangins..we're not back in horse wagon days and salazaa is right when he explained the history of gangs."Hang em high","Leave em in hangin in Deleon Plaza for a day"yall are sick people.Thats why we have a legal system..if its not working then by all means voice your opinions to our police dept and legal system

What makes you think that the Police Department isn't prepared and isn't pro-active when it comes to gangs in Victoria? Just curious.

here is the deal. Gangs are in every city. it is not any secret. the only problem with Victoria is that our police dept isnt prepared or proactive enough to make a difference. believe me when i tell you, there will come a day when the average citizen will have an encounter with these gangs and guess what, you better be prepared to take a life cuz they sure will take yours in a heart beat and go back and smoke a blunt with their homies and laff about how you were terrified before you died. they dont care about you and they know that chances are they'll get away with it. I say be BANG BACK!!!

Speechfree, you make a good point about alarmism and the need to keep things in perspective. This is not to dismiss justified concerns, just to encourage keeping things in balance.

Still, one's arsenal is the only thing that is likely to offer much protection against anyone who can't be talked out of doing ill. The Victoria police force is often quite apathetic; Entrusting my, or my family's, well-being to it would not be wise. And though I'd gladly step out of the way and let one of them bust the proverbial cap in someone's *** in my stead, that would require he be there when needed. The odds are not good.

I like what I hear. Maybe some people are finally starting to realize this scum needs to be exterminated like rats and cockroaches.... you cant destroy their habitat because theyll only move and be the same pests...you have to exterminate the creature and its offspring.

John123
Deport American Citizens?
==
John, Some wish they could.

you are right you cant deport American citizens, but if they are gang scum they need to be dealt with, use the old west mentality. Americans will always be stronger and have the rights to clean up these gang scum. lets use some old west methods, these people only understand the same BS they try to dish out, there are lots of trees in Victoria that need some ornaments hanging from them.

they chooses to terrorize the taxpaying civilians of this community and have the audacity to claim ownership of the streets...they are enemies and domestic terrorists of the state and should be treated as such

Maybe the Chief of Police should be a little more proactive in gang activity. He could start with having his officers taking pictures of these bangers wearing tan pants white t-shirts, there is no law against taking pictures as they walk around Victoria. Use the stop and ID method, and really do some home work on these tattoos, “these home boys are proud of there art work.” Good Intel is a big asset in gang related problems.

Deport American Citizens?

you go to be kidding me, gangs, murders, what do these things have in common, speaking the truth will have this post deleted. Report and Deport!!!

This nothing new, gangs are part of our American Culture. Whether back in 1846, in Lower Manhattan's Five Points district or the streets of Victoria in 2009. In 1840s, territorial war raged between the Natives and recently arrived Irish immigrants in NYC.

This happens everywhere, including Victoria. It’s just hasn’t and shouldn’t be glorified here.

The sky is falling. The sky is falling. Yes, every city of any substance will have organized gang behavior but Victoria is hardly the epicenter of the criminal world- prevalent hardly. Please do not feed these paranoid lot who think Victoria is the center of the universe. They already have arsenals that rival many 3rd world countries. Let them apply some resources to other things like dental work.

if you make their lives very, very miserable / uncomfortable, they move on to another city

First story I've seen in the Advocate about an obvious issue.
Drive through town every day from south to north and watch how the street gang graffitti has been spreading.
How 'bout a "Fatal funnel" series on the gangs.
It might be a series that would mean something if it lit a fire under Ure and his boys to get serious about gang interdiction.