Local residents get update from police about recent shootings GANG VIOLENCE IS SEEN AS THREAT TO NEIGHBORHOOD Friday, December 21, 2007 By Tiffany Carney After the recent gang-related violence in West San Jose, some neighbors showed up in memory of the three victims who lost their lives and some showed their support for the youth affected by the violence. But in the end, everyone came together for the good of the community. A standing-room-only crowd attended a Dec. 11 neighborhood meeting, held by District 1 Councilman Pete Constant and the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force to provide information about the recent gang-related violence in the area. The most recent shooting took place Dec. 5 on Waterbury Court, off Boynton Avenue. One victim, 18-year-old Huber Virelas, died in the hospital; the other has not yet been named. According to Enrique Garcia, San Jose Police Department spokesman, the incident was gang-related, but no suspects have been named. Less than two weeks earlier, Cadillac Drive neighbors also heard gunshots. According to authorities, just before midnight on Nov. 23 Pedro Corona and Jose Cuevas Magana, both in their 20s, were shot to death, and one 18-year-old man was shot and injured. This incident is also believed to be gang-related, Garcia said. According to residents, there are often problems on Cadillac Drive, but only on one end of the street. The Impala and Cadillac drive neighborhood is considered a gang abatement area, according to city officials. The meeting, held at Rosemary Elementary School, was a forum for the community to come together to discuss neighborhood safety and gang awareness. Even though it was advertised in advance with fliers, surrounding neighbors who attended the Blackford Neighborhood Action Coalition meeting Dec. 6 said they weren't given ample notice, and some didn't receive a flier at all. The main focus of the meeting was to create 30-, 60- and 90-day action plans for the community relative to gangs, safety and violence. Representatives of the Campbell Union School District, SJPD, Campbell Police Department, Anti-Litter and Graffiti Program, Safe Schools Campus Initiative, Strong Neighborhoods Initiative and probation department were all in attendance to support and offer their services to the community. Bernie Rosales of the Safe Schools Campus Initiative started the meeting with a slideshow explaining gang indicators and gang presence. He explained that the Norteños and Sureños are the two gangs that are prevalent in the western portion of San Jose. The Norteños associate themselves with the color red and represent Northern California. The Sureños wear the color blue and represent Southern California, he said. "Any involvement in gangs is dangerous," said Capt. Rich Calderon, who oversees the SJPD's Western Division and facilitated the meeting. Calderon believes an individual should not be associated with gangs at any age, and that often starts with the parents and community involvement. "It is not something that is going to go away overnight," Constant said. Erin Ulrich wishes it would. "It is a little disconcerting," she said as she recalled the morning after the shooting on Waterbury when SJPD cars lined Boynton Avenue just a few blocks from her home on Woodleaf Court. Ulrich was not able to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment, but she said she wishes there was something she could do. "It is our job to take the youth back, take the streets back, but we need your help," Constant said, adding that community members can be a big help if they call the police when they see suspicious or gang- related activity. Many were also worried about the youth of the neighborhood. One woman spoke for the children who are surrounded by this violence. "I am concerned for them," she said." They are living it." After the meeting Carla Reyna, a Cadillac Drive resident, said she doesn't want to move, the recent shootings have her considering the possibility. "We've never had these types of problems," said Reyna, who has lived in the area for more than 35 years. "I feel resentful that the neighborhood has changed." Helen and Frank Melrose said traffic and parking are both problems near their home, but that is about it. Issues that arise on Cadillac are usually found near Winchester Boulevard, not on their end of the street, Helen Melrose said. Those with information on either shooting are urged to call the SJPD Homicide Unit at 408.277.5283. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call 408.947.STOP. Numbers to know * In an emergency 911 * In an emergency from a cellular phone 408.277.8911 * San Jose Police Department non-emergency 311 (from a landline telephone) * Crime Stoppers 408.947.STOP * Graffiti and litter abatement hotline 408.277.2758 * San Jose Code Enforcement 408.277.4528 * Safe Schools Campus Initiative 408.277.4761