Residents in the Park Avenue neighborhood are in a battle. The enemy: gang graffiti.

Over the weekend, volunteers gathered to paint over gang graffiti on more than 70 properties that were tagged on National Night Out.

"Almost all of them were covered," said Brad Allen, coordinator of the Park Avenue Neighborhood block group.

It was the second time in recent weeks where gang members had spray painted properties in the neighborhood, which goes from South 56th to South 64th streets, South Yakima to Pacific avenue. The first round of gang graffiti appeared on 50 properties in a 24-hour span July 23.

Crews had painted over most of the graffiti when a second round hit Aug. 4, the night where neighbors ban together to fight crime issues such as this.

The second time, Allen said the vandals hit any time of surface - vehicles, garages, garbage cans, sides of homes.

"Anything in their way got hit," Allen said.

Officials suspect rival gangs are battling over turf. Their canvass is the flat surfaces within the 35-block Park Avenue Neighborhood. Allen said a recent police crackdown on gangs on the East Side also might be pushing the activity into his neighborhood.

"They are pushing this way to see what's going to give," Allen said.

An emergency graffiti clean up was scheduled Saturday.

"Some properties have already been covered but we need to get ALL of the graffiti covered immediately if we are going to have any success in winning the graffiti wars," Allen wrote in an e-mail. "Covering the graffiti NOW is the only way to send a message to the gangs we will not put up with this in our neighborhood. Otherwise, more graffiti will follow, which leads to more serious crime: more frequent drug dealings, more frequent burglaries, and even more violent crimes such as drive-by shootings."

Photos are courtesy of Allen.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offer a reward after a Lakewood police officer's personal car was spray painted and torched late Wednesday.

The car was parked at the officer's Spanaway home. It was painted with gang graffiti, then set on fire about 10:45 p.m., Lakewood police report. The driveway also was spray painted, according to police.

The officer's personal car is a loss.

The blaze caused heat damage to the officer's patrol car, which was parked next to his personal car. A rain gutter on the house also suffered heat damage.

The officer was inside the house at the time, police reported. No one was injured.

Investigators are looking into what might have motivated the attack. The officer recently had spray painted over gang graffiti in his neighborhood, Lakewood Assistant Police Chief Mike Zaro said. Or the officer's house could have been randomly targeted by someone who spotted a police car.

"With the graffiti left behind, we are definite confident it was gang related," Zaro said.

Before the attack, the officer twice had spotted a suspicious vehicle outside his home and went outside to investigate. Each time, the officer shined a flash light and the car took off. The car came back in 20 minutes intervals, Zaro said.

Twenty minutes after the officer spotted the car a second time, his personal car was on fire.

"They knew somebody was home and they knew it was a police officer's house," Zaro said. "It was pretty brazen."

The suspicious vehicle is described as a late 1980s maroon Buick or Cadillac.

Pierce County sheriff's detectives are investigating the arson. The regional gang officers also are assisting in the case, Zaro said.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests and charges filed in the case. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

The Tacoma Police Department has initiated a crackdown on the East Side in response to a flurry of gang-related violence.

They've added more officers to the East Side after Sunday's homicide and a handful of driveby shootings in this week.

Here's the story I've written about the crack down.

Here's the press release sent out this afternoon by the department:

Five shootings, in the span of one week, have prompted the Tacoma Police Department to initiate an aggressive gang suppression strategy. The Tacoma Police Department is sending a clear message that gang violence in our community will not be tolerated.

Tacoma Police will use a two pronged approach in an effort to stop the increase in violence. The first prong will be a short term emphasis that targets the Eastside of Tacoma, the area where the recent incidents have occurred. The second prong will focus on the long term goal on reducing gang related crime in the City of Tacoma.

The short term solution will be to effectively focus resources from the Gang Unit, Community Liaison Officers, the Traffic Section, School Resource Officers, and the Special Investigations Section to suppress and disrupt violent gang activity.

The long term solution is to use suppression, intervention, as well as prevention techniques and strategies to reduce gang violence and the increase of gang recruitment.

The Tacoma Police Department recognizes that we are not the sole solution to stopping youth violence and is relying on cooperation from the community to assist us in solving this problem. Citizens with any information regarding the recent shootings or other gang related crime are asked to call the Tacoma Police Department Tip Line at (253) 594-7867, select option #2.

The Division II Court of Appeals has affirmed the convictions of a Tacoma man found guilty of shooting a teenager to death near a downtown all-ages club three years ago.

The panel rejected arguments from Verrick V. Yarbrough that he did not receive a fair trial. Yarbrough appealed his first-degree murder conviction in the death of Rhaczio Simms in July 2006 (click here to read the full opinion).

Yarbrough contended that Superior Court Judge Vicki Hogan improperly allowed evidence about his reported gang ties into the trial, among other things.

Prosecutors argued that Yarbrough took part in Sims' murder because the victim associated with a rival gang.

A jury agreed and convicted Yarbrough, who subsequently was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

TNT staff writer Sean Robinson's story on the sentencing follows:

=> Read more!

Nearly 200 law enforcement professions, service providers, community leaders and educators will be at Pacific Lutheran University today to talk about gang violence.

The regional gang symposium "Ignite Hope" kicks off at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m. Safe Streets has organized the one-day event.

Participants will hear a keynote address from state Attorney General Rob McKenna and a videotaped message from the federal drug czar Gil Kirlikowske (also the former Seattle police chief). They'll be able to attend workshops to learn about the national and local gang picture, how to close the achievement gap and using microfinance to support gang members as business people.

"All of us, from residents and youth to community institutions, must recommit ourselves to working together to leverage our resources to make a difference for all youth in our community," Priscilla Lisicich, executive director of Safe Streets Campaign, said in a press release.

For the symposium, Safe Streets is partnering with Click! Network, the Good Man Project, Lakewood Police Department, Metropolitan Development Council, Pierce County Sheriff's Department, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tacoma Police Department and Tacoma Public Schools.

Crews stand at the scene were two shooting victims stopped to ask for help Thursday evening. Brian Everstine/The News Tribune

What started as rival gang members flashing signs from cars ended with two men shot Thursday evening in Tacoma.

Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said the two cars were driving on Portland Avenue about 8 p.m. Passengers dressed in blue in one car and passengers in red in the other car started flashing signs. A man in blue pulled a gun and shot at the other car, a red 1980s Ford Taurus.

The Taurus drove to the Thunderbird Trading Post on 72nd and Waller Road to ask for help. A passenger who was shot in the back of the head and was taken to Madigan Army Medical Center. He was alert and talking to officers, Fulghum said. The driver was shot in the shoulder and talked to officers at the scene.

The rival gang members drove away westbound in a green compact car. Witnesses said there were four of them in their 20s.

Michael Reed, 26, of Midland, pulled in right behind the Taurus as it stopped at the Thunderbird.

The car’s back window was shot out, he said. The man who was shot in the shoulder was frantically pacing and the man with the head wound was sitting up in the front passenger’s seat, Reed said.

“He was coherent and everyone was talking to him,” Reed said.

“I just came in for one beer, and it ended up being something totally different,” Reed said.

About 30 patrons were inside the Thunderbird about 8:45 p.m. and Puyallup tribal police weren’t allowing them to leave, Reed said.

A bloody T-shirt sits on top of the vehicle the shooting victims were in. Brian Everstine/The News Tribune

Two of Lakewood's gang officers struggled a bit - but were ultimately successful - in trying to arrest a suspected gang member Wednesday afternoon.

Someone called 911 just before 1:45 p.m. Wednesday and reported there was a car full of suspected gang members at an apartment complex in the 15300 block of Washington Avenue Southwest, court documents state.

The officers arrived and spotted the car. They parked behind the car and watched the front seat passenger, who appeared as though he was going to flee.

The officers ordered the man to close the door and he complied.

The officers walked up to the car and found four men inside. They "sported clothing and accessories consistent with gang activity," court documents state. The officers immediately smelled marijuana coming from the car.

The driver was detained. The front seat passenger turned up the music and "spoke using gang vernacular."

As the officers prepared to get the front seat passenger out of the car, he moved across the front seat and out the driver's side door. The officers stopped him.

The passenger reached his hand into his pants pocket and was immediately taken to the ground, court documents state.

He fought with officers and "furiously reached into his pants pocket," court documents state.

The man threatened officers during the struggle. He was eventually subdued.

From the man's pants pockets, officers found "a small-framed, loaded, 9mm handgun," court documents state. Officers discovered the gun had been reported stolen to TPD.

Safe Streets wants parents to know the warning signs that their children are involved in gang activity after a resurgent in youth gang violence in recent months.

The Tacoma-based nonprofit community organization is in the midst of developed an action plan that will spell out what parents and other adults can do to help counter the continuing gang problem.

In the meantime, Safe Streets' gang prevention specialists have compiled a list of warning signs that might indicate a child is involved in a gang.

Here's what parents should be on the lookout for:

· Your teen admits "hanging" out with other kids in a gang.

· Your teen has tatoos or drawings or gang symbols on his or her school books, clothes or walls.

· Your teen shows unusually keen interest in specific colors or logos.

· Your teen comes home with unexplained injuries.

· Your teen has cash or goods and he or she cannot explain where they got the items.

· Your teen has been in trouble with the police.

· Your teen withdraws from family members.

· Your teen takes less interest in school and has declining school attendance, performance and behavior.

· Your teen stays out late but provides no reason.

· Your teen is unusually secretive.

· Your teen shows signs of drug or alcohol use.

"Gang prevention specialists emphasize that parental vigilance is especially important as we move into the holiday season and school breaks," Safe Streets reported in a press release.

The organization advises that youths should be encouraged to participate in "positive" afterschool activities. Officials also advise parents to keep a curfew, know their child's friends and their families and talk to their children about the dangers and consequences of being involved in the gang life.

Here's the press release from the Kent Police Department:

KENT, Wash. – October 28, 2008 – Efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies October 24th resulted in the arrests of 23 known gang members. In an emphasis from Federal Way to South Seattle, law enforcement officials focused on gang members with outstanding warrants and those under supervision by the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Those arrested were taken into custody for suspected murder, narcotics violations, attempted robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, and other outstanding warrants.

This collaboration also assisted in the arrest of homicide suspect Edward Cobb for the shooting death last summer of Chezaray Bacchus at a South King County fast food restaurant.

“This emphasis was the first of several coordinated efforts planned in this area to address criminal gang activity,” said Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan. “We’re sending a strong message that law enforcement, corrections, and other agencies are working together.”

Agencies participating in the emphasis included:
King County Sheriff’s Office Des Moines PD
Federal Way PD Port of Seattle PD
Seattle PD Tukwila PD
Kent PD King County Jail
Washington State Department of Corrections
US Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms
US Immigration Customs Enforcement

Three young men with reported ties to the Hilltop Crips have pleaded guilty to participating in a pair of shootings outside an East Side Tacoma tavern that left a man dead last year.

JeanPaul Wesley-Hook, 24, pleaded guilty last week to one count of second-degree murder and three counts of second-degree assault in the August 2007 shootings that killed Kevin Carter and left three others wounded outside Rudy's Tavern.

Wesley-Hook faces more than 29 years in prison when he's sentenced Oct. 3, according to court records.

Emmanuel Bonds, 23, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault in the case. He faces a sentence of more than 22 years.

Thomas Edward Law, 24, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree rendering criminal assistance. The proposed terms of his sentence have not been made public.

All three men are to be sentenced in Pierce County Superior Court on Oct. 3.

Prosecutors contend in court documents that Wesley-Hook got beaten up by a rival gang member in the tavern that night and decided to seek revenge with a gun.

He first opened fire in the parking lot, wounding two people, the documents state.

Minutes later, Wesley-Hook fired more shots toward the tavern from the window of a car driven by Bonds, according to the records. Law also was in the car.

Carter, an innocent bystander, was hit in the head and killed. Another person was wounded.

U.S. Patty Murray (D-Washington) will be in Tacoma today to talk with law enforcement and community leaders about the gang and methamphetamine problems plaguing the region.

She will meet with a panel of officials at Tacoma Police Department headquarters this morning. Among those scheduled to attend are Tacoma Police Chief Don Ramsdell, Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor, Tacoma Schools Superintendent Art Jarvis, deputy Pierce County prosecutor Greg Greer, state Rep. Chris Hurst, Tacoma City Councilwoman Connie Ladenburg and others.

Last month, Murray earmarked $500,000 for Pierce County’s anti-gang efforts and $1 million for the state’s anti-methamphetamine efforts in a spending bill moving its way through the U.S. Senate.

Gangs and meth are problems Tacoma and Pierce County residents have been dealing with for years. The battle against meth has evolved from highly explosive homemade drug labs to imported crystal meth that is distributed around the region. Law enforcement officials believe the highly addictive drug is behind some property crime and metal thefts as addicts look for ways to get cash so they can get their fix.

Last year, Tacoma received near $430,000 from the federal government to work on anti-meth and anti-gang efforts among the Latino gang population.

I'll be at the meeting and will report back on the review later today.

UPDATE: Here's the story I've got posted on the homepage. I'll have a more complete version in Wednesday's paper.

Pierce County could receive $500,000 to fight gangs from the federal government soon.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) has included the money in a spending bill headed for the full Senate’s approval, her office announced today. (In a separate press release, Murray announced she's also added $1 million to the same bill for the Washington State Meth Initiative.)

The money would go to Pierce County’s Comprehensive Regional Gang Prevention Initiative, which aims to help at-risk youth who are exposed to or already engaged in criminal behavior. The initiative pulls together prevention specialists, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, school officials and community-based organizations.

Murray’s $500,000 request is part of the 2009 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill. She is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

The bill is headed to the full Senate for consideration.

Tacoma got some federal money last year to start the prevention efforts. I included information about that grant in a story on the gang situation earlier this year.

Here's the excerpt on the federal money.

=> Read more!