SUNNYSIDE, Wash. (AP) - The police gang unit in Sunnyside calls gang members "terrorists," their families "sanctuaries" and drive-by shootings "guerrilla warfare."
Deputy Police Chief Phil Schenck told the Yakima County Gang Commission Tuesday that Sunnyside has adopted the military language and philosophy from Defense Department counter-insurgency manuals.
One of the gang unit officers, T.J. Orth, says they're "hunting bad guys."
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the get-tough strategy was adopted in May by the Sunnyside City Council. A crime analyst and the gang unit hit the streets in August.
Police say homicides, robberies, burglaries are declining while drug arrests have doubled.
E-Mail
Print
KPQ Midday Update