Watsonville Police cracking down on gang activity

While many people had New Year’s Day off, Watsonville police officers were working overtime to keep the streets safe.

“The gang problem we have right now is unpredictable and we are doing what we can to suppress the problem,” Sgt. Donny Thul said.

The city approved overtime pay to staff four to ten more officers every day and throwing more resources at the problem seems to be paying off. Since December 29, Watsonville police says officers have met with 32 known gang members. Nine of them have been arrested, including one who was found with a gun. It’s been a deadly year in the city, with a homicide rate reaching an all-time high. Sgt. Thul has been with the department for over a decade and says he’s never seen it this bad.

“One homicide is too many and ten is absolutely outrageous,” Sgt. Thul said. “We’re doing all we can here.”

Jose Morales, a father of three, says he’s doing all he can, starting at home. He’s been teaching his younger daughters all about ‘stranger danger,’ and teaching his 14-year-old son the dangers of people who are pretending to be his friends.

“I tell him the real friends he can recognize is when he’s in the hospital or jail,” Morales said. “I don’t want either but it’s those special events where he’ll recognize his true friends.”

Morales says by staying on his son’s back, his son will know that his dad really has his back.

In its continuing gang suppression efforts, WPD will take a look at both its short and long term programs to make sure it’s spending the time and money doing the things that work for them.