Running Head: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PROPOSAL PART 1 1

Memorandum of Understanding Proposal Part 1:

Task Force Model

Matt Jenkins

Team Bravo

University of San Diego

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PROPOSAL PART 1 2

Gang Problem in Pomona

Throughout the country, street gangs continue to impact the quality of life for residents.

According to the 2015 National Gang Report, they are reported to be the “highest threat,

perpetuating violence, drug distribution, and opportunistic crimes, such as robbery.” Historically,

Pomona has been a hotbed for criminal gang activity with thousands of gang members living in

the San Gabriel Valley and carrying out feuds and crimes within the city of Pomona (Winton and

Blankstein, 2004). In addition to gangs coming into the City to carry out crimes, the Pomona

Police Department has a large number of gangs consisting of primarily Sureños, Bloods, and

Crips, that commit crimes outside of the jurisdiction in furtherance of their respective criminal

enterprises. Figure 1 illustrates known gang boundaries within the City of Pomona and outlying

areas.

Figure 1: Known Pomona Gang Boundaries

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PROPOSAL PART 1 3

The conclusion of a recent Federal Bureau of Investigation task force reinforces the need

to continue to combat gangs through a task force model. When the City experienced a rash of

gang-related homicides in 2013, the City elicited the assistance of the FBI, and the ensuing task

force that focused on the San Gabriel Valley found that many of the homicides could be traced to

the Mexican Mafia, whom the FBI reported had total control of the street gangs in Pomona

(Cain, 2018). According to federal prosecutors assigned to the case, 83 people were charged

with racketeering conspiracies, drug violations, violent assaults, and murders.

Continuing to keep the City free of perpetrators of violent offenses provides for a more

vibrant and robust community, where residents and visitors feel safe. Failure to adequately

address the gang issues in Pomona can have a negative impact on local businesses and the

general economy. The National Youth Gang Center (2006) estimates that each adolescent

criminal career spanning a 10-year period can cost the taxpayers between $1.7 and $2.3 million.

A single gunshot injury costs over $1 million.

Task Force Model

Gang members do not stop committing crimes at City limits; as evidenced by internal

crime data and results from the FBI task force, Pomona centered gangs are carrying out crime in

the greater Los Angeles County area. Consequently and to have the most significant impact on

the gangs, a multijurisdictional task force should be employed. A multijurisdictional task force

provides several unique advantages over gang-units in respective agencies. Resources of each

participating agency can be leveraged since each has capacities and limitations. Putting all of the

resources in one place, under unified control, allows for the more efficient use of resources and

expertise towards a common goal (Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity, 2016;

Department of Justice, 2008, p. 6). Additionally, research has shown that gangs are fluid; their
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PROPOSAL PART 1 4

criminal sophistication and rivalries are in constant flux (O’Deane, 2016). Establishing

multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional task force will provide for a group of people that are

continually monitoring gangs and gang members. They will have the ability to take information

gleaned from the community and patrol and develop intelligence and a more comprehensive

understanding of gang-related crimes. With a better understanding of the gang crime problem,

administrators will be in a position to make better-informed decisions on enforcement tactics and

crime prevention strategies (Guidetti and Martinelli, 2009). Additional advantages of a

multijurisdictional task force include enhanced availability of funding streams, increased public

relations and improved public perceptions (Department of Justice, 2008, p. 6).

Task Force Structure

The task force will consist of members from agencies serving the greater Pomona area,

including the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, the San

Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s

Office. Additionally, the task force will work with liaisons from other local, county, state and

federal partners. Each partner agency serves as a vital component to addressing the gang

dynamics and ensuring a safe community for residents, businesses, and visitors to Pomona and

the surrounding areas.

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References

Cain, J. (2018, May 23). Dozens of Los Angeles-area gang members arrested in Major FBI raid

targeting Mexican Mafia. Retrieved from https://www.dailynews.com/2018/05/23/fbi-

raids-target-mexican-mafia-gang-in-los-angeles-county/

Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity. (2016). The Task Force Model Issue Brief.

Retrieved from https://www.law.columbia.edu/public-integrity/our-work/integrity-brief-

series/issue-brief-task-force-model

Department of Justice. (2008). Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Gang Intelligence

Units and Task Forces. Retrieved from

https://it.ojp.gov/documents/d/guidelines%20for%20establishing%20Gang%20Intelligen

ce%20units.pdf

Guidetti, R. and Martinelli, T. (2009). Intelligence-Led Policing: A Strategic Framework. The

Police Chief, 76. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/intelligence-led-

policinga-strategic-framework/?ref=d5fccb2219a61a586b7676c7dc699097

National Gang Intelligence Center. (2015). National Gang Report 2015. Retrieved from

https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/national-gang-report-2015.pdf/view

O’Deane, M. (2016). Community Assessment – Organizations: Module 2 Presentation 2.1.

Retrieved from https://ole.sandiego.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1212312-dt-content-rid-

3378937_1/courses/LEPS-570-

MASTER/Module2/LEPS570_Presentation2.1_Part1_Transcript.pdf
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Winton, R. and Blankstein, A. (2004, April 23). Pomona Called a ‘Hotbed’ of Gang Activity.

Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2004/apr/23/local/me-sideshot23