WOODLAND, Calif — Over the weekend Woodland Mayor Rich Lansburgh wrote on opinion piece in the Daily Democrat denouncing what he calls the city’s growing gang violence.
Lansburgh said police officials have been able to tie the city's increase in gun violence to gangs. Lansburgh said it has been difficult connecting the two issues, but through investigations, they've been able to trace past homicides to gang activity.
ABC10's Mayde Gomez met with Lansburgh and Woodland Police Chief Derrek Kaff to find out what city leaders are doing about the violence.
The following Q&A has been shortened and edited for clarity.
Mayde Gomez: Tell us about the issue?
Mayor: The issue at this point has become terrible in that we are experiencing an uptick in gang violence. It has been in the past several months — in fact, the past year.
Mayde: Can you tell us some of the stats related to the violence?
Chief: In 2019, we had 31 confirmed shootings in town, and we had four homicides. We had 10 others injured due to gun violence. Already in 2020, we’ve had four shootings in town, and we've had one homicide and three others injured through gun violence.
Mayde: Tell us more about how gangs work?
Chief: The gang culture is complex. You have overarching parent organizations of gangs primarily tied to the California prison system.
Mayde: Why are we only hearing about gang activity in Woodland and not in other places?
Chief: It's not unique just to Woodland. It may be us right now in the Sacramento area that is dealing with this, but my agency partners have each gone through upticks in violence. Right now, we're experiencing it, and we are calling on them to help us, and they are absolutely responding. We are not responding to this on our own, and we are not going to try to respond to this problem in a silo. We are looking locally, statewide and federally for best practices.
Mayde: Over the weekend, two teenagers were shot at while they were getting out of their car. What can you tell us about that investigation?
Chief: We're investigating that right now to prove a gang connection — the details are still coming in.
Mayde: A Gang Task Force was created back in 1999, it was revitalized in 2007, it died down in 2017, and now it’s back?
Mayor: We felt there was an overwhelming need to bring them back and concentrate their efforts on reducing the gang violence.
Mayde: What sources are out there for parents who believe their child may be involved with gangs?
Chief: We have existing resources in town, we are looking to expand those resources. Specifically, for the parents, if parents in town feel that their kids are either involved or on the edge of getting involved in gangs, there are resources that can help. They can call 530-661-7800 that is the police department. We will put them in touch with the right resources for parenting classes so they can get the support so they can get their kids connected with other positive options.”
Mayde: What can the community do to help?
Chief: What we need is more people to come forward — we need more video, we need more people coming forward as witnesses. People in town know things. They have to share that information with us.
Follow the conversation on Facebook with Mayde Gomez.
READ MORE STORIES FROM WOODLAND:
FOR NEWS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, DOWNLOAD THE ABC10 APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for ABC10's Daily Blend Newsletter