Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/20/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Theresa Menshek - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DISTRICT ATTORNEY PARTNERS WITH FBI IN NORTH BAY GANG TASK FORCE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that his office has been an ongoing partner with the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force to combat gangs in the region.

DA Passalacqua said, “Because gangs don’t operate within county or state borders, it is more important than ever that we fight gangs with a regional approach.  Our continued collaboration on gang suppression efforts will benefit our public safety partners and the communities throughout the region.”      
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force program was initiated in January, 1992, and allows each FBI field division and its local and state partners to address violent street gangs and drug-related violence through the establishment of FBI sponsored long-term, proactive task forces focusing on violent gangs, crimes of violence, and the apprehension of violent fugitives.  Since late 2007, the Sonoma County District Attorney has partnered with the FBI on The North Bay Regional Gang Task Force, along with the Sheriff, Santa Rosa Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The stated purpose is to pursue violent gangs through proactive and coordinated investigations to obtain federal prosecutions, including violations such as racketeering, drug conspiracy, and firearms violations.  This partnership has resulted in numerous federal and state prosecutions.  The Safe Streets Task Force concept expands cooperation and communication among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, increasing productivity and avoiding duplication of investigative efforts.

Nationwide, there are 170 Safe Street Task Forces, with over 2300 local, state and federal officers.  In California, there are 13 such task forces, including other regional programs nearby in San Francisco, Oakland, and Monterey.

The Northbay Regional Gang Task Force has conducted its own investigations and provided invaluable assistance to county law enforcement agencies in complex gang and homicide investigations.  The District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations has one District Attorney Investigator assigned full time to the Task Force, and the Bureau designates additional personnel to assist as needed on particular operations.