City meets schools to combat gang violence in Galt

Colors, tagging, street brawling -- Galt residents have been fed up with gang activity for years. Now, they're going to do something about it.

Representatives from several city and county agencies have pooled their resources into a task force to stem the tide of gang violence in the area. They will ask others to join their ranks at an introductory meeting to be held Sept. 7 at the Galt High School campus.

Though he is new to the area, Galt High School Principal Bernardo Olmos said he sees tagging, or spray-painting graffiti symbols, and gang culture have a presence on Galt's high school campuses as well as in the community at large.

"We need to keep a check on it," Olmos said.

In addition to officials from Galt High and Estrellita Continuation High schools, members of the Galt City Council and Sacramento County Board of Supervisors plan to take part the meeting.

Councilwoman Barbara Payne, who also founded the "I love My Town" program, said she's noticed an increase in the number of gang episodes, from graffiti and vandalism to verbal sparring and assaults over the years.

"I don't think there's any doubt that there is a gang problem," Payne said. "But if we tackle it now with a collaboration, we can really make a difference."

School Resource Officer Juan Fuentes said gang violence comes in waves, though he said tagging has seen an upward trend in Galt in the past eight years.

Fuentes will be at the meeting to inform parents how to recognize signs that their child may be involved in gang activity. Everything from wearing one specific color to writing symbols on a notebook can be a clue, Fuentes said.

"Parents need to try to be more aware of what their kids are doing," he said.

Galt High Superintendent Thomas Gemma said students should make the right choices, not only by staying away from negative influences, but engaging themselves in positive activities at school or in the city.

The superintendent encouraged parents to attend the meeting on Sept. 7, whether their children are high school aged or not.

"It's an investment in the community," he said.

The location of the gang task force meeting, which is open to the public, has yet to be determined, though it will be held on the Galt High School campus.

For more information, call 745-0249.

Contact reporter Sara Cardine at sarac@lodinews.com.