A South Coast city has announced it is dropping the use of court injunctions to try to reduce gang violence in some of its neighborhoods.
The City of Oxnard, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office established injunctions in 2005 against members of two street gangs. The injunctions banned gatherings of gang members, carrying weapons and steps intended to reduce violence.
Oxnard Police say the injunctions were initially useful. While the injunctions were controversial, they held up in court.
But police say some changes in the way gangs operate, as well as court rulings have reduced the effectiveness of the injunctions. They say they are no longer a cost-effective tool in combatting gang activity, and at least for now their use is being suspended.
