M.A.G.E.C. Team to Specifically Target Gangs in Southeast Fresno County

Wednesday, November 28, 2007 in a crucial step toward crippling criminal street gangs in Fresno County, law enforcement and city officials have authorized an additional M.A.G.E.C. team to strengthen and expand the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium's (M.A.G.E.C.) presence and effectiveness in targeting gangs in eastern Fresno County. According to D.A. Egan, "when it comes to criminal street gangs, it is important to understand that they are a county-wide problem, there are no safe harbors, therefore, in addressing Fresno County's gang problem, we need to use a comprehensive, county-wide approach."

County Sheriff, County Probation, County District Attorney, Clovis, Fowler, Selma, Sanger, Kingsburg, Parlier, and Kerman Police Departments, California Highway Patrol, the F.B.I., US Department of Justice, the Federal Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Parole Departments are organized within the regional task force M.A.G.E.C. (Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium).

Sheriff Mims has committed additional deputies to M.A.G.E.C.'s Eastern gang suppression team. She states that the Sheriff's Department is dedicated to continue to work together to stop violent gang activity."

Selma Police Chief Tom Whiteside acknowledged that the outlying agencies have been granted the tools to enhance their aggressive fight against these criminals which have run rampant and created a regional gang problem. "All of the communities within the county have been impacted and the time has come for all the law enforcement agencies to work together and combat gangs thereby creating a synergistic effect."

Supervisor Case stated that she was "pleased that the mayors and city council members in District 4 have made the decision to provide the resources to enhance M.A.G.E.C.'s presence on the east side of Fresno County."

The new resources committed by the agencies in eastern Fresno County include: 1 officer from Selma Police Department; 1 officer from Sanger Police Department; 1 officer from Reedley Police Department; 1 officer from Fowler Police Department; 1 Sergeant from the Fresno Sheriff's Department; 1 Deputy Sheriff from the Fresno Sheriff's Department; 1 part-time officer from Parlier Police Department; and 1 part-time officer from Kingsburg Police Department.

During the press conference one reporter asked if the law enforcement efforts were going to be balanced with any prevention/intervention strategies. D. A. Egan, Supervisor Case and Sheriff Mims all outlined that as one of the major roles of the County's Gang Task Force Coordinator Debra McKenzie.