Santa Cruz County’s Gang Task Force has grown

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office just added one more detective to the Santa Cruz Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT).

The Santa County Sheriff’s Office said the county established the team in 2010 to bring together local and state law enforcement agencies to confront and suppress drug and gang violence in Santa Cruz County.

According to officials, the team is working throughout the county to suppress the sale of hard drugs, as well as to address gang violence.

The Sheriff’s Office said SCCACT focuses on identifying, investigating and arresting gang members.

County officials say the Gang Task Force also takes firearms away from gang members and has obtained more than 78 just since 2012. Officials believe taking guns away from gang members has prevented additional crimes from occurring.

The hiring of the additional full-time detective brings the Gang Task Force to a total of four members.

Sheriff Jim Hart said, “The gang activity that is occurring in the South County must stop. The Sheriff’s Office will do everything we can, in partnership with other local law enforcement agencies, to quell the senseless violence that has been occurring,” according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.