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Oxnard Police Say They Will Enforce Updated Version Of Gang Injunction

Oxnard Police say after making changes to comply with recent court decisions, they will once again use civil injunctions as tools against gang. The city has had injunctions since 2005 against the Colonia Chiques and the Southside Chiques gangs.

As a result of the court rulings, Oxnard Police suspended enforcement of the injunctions late last year, while they and Ventura County prosecutors reviewed the situation.

Now, all injunctions against suspected gang members will be lifted. But, police say new ones will be issued for people found to be active gang members. Some law enforcement officials consider the injunctions to be important tools in efforts to control gangs, because they restrict things like gang gatherings.

The use of gang injunctions has been controversial, with some people contending they infringe on constitutional rights. But, court rulings have upheld most aspects of their use.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.