Gang violence spikes

Three drive-by shootings and an increase in fights, assaults and weapons calls involving two rival gangs during January have prompted Spokane police to shift more efforts to clamping down on street violence.

By moving six patrol officers to the gang enforcement team, Spokane police hope to stop more gunfire before it occurs.

“We are not waiting for the next shooting to respond or intervene,” Deputy Chief Al Odenthal said.

Two confirmed gang members, Shkeenan Cage and Rakee Cage, both 19, were arrested Thursday at 2714 E. Third Ave., said police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee. A 16-year-old boy, also taken into custody at that address, is thought to be affiliated with a gang, police said. A handgun, a rifle and crack cocaine were seized from the residence. All three were charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. All three are convicted felons.

“There’s been a huge increase in gang activity so far this year,” said Mike Roberge, a member of the Spokane police gang task force. “We aren’t at critical mass yet. We are at a significant spike that causes me concern.”

The gang enforcement officer noted that gang violence usually dips during the winter months, but that didn’t happen this season.

Since bumping the task force up to eight full-time officers, 42 gang members or associates have been arrested on warrants or new charges, Roberge said. Charges have ranged from probation violations to being a felon in possession of a weapon to drug possession.

The task force is currently tracking about 100 individuals affiliated with the two gangs.

“These two groups have caused a disproportionate amount of violence over the last year,” Roberge said, “with a significant increase in the last month.”

Gang members range in age from 15 to 22 years old, include females and are not of one particular ethnicity or race, he said.

Officers said they have seen signs of gang activity at nearly all of Spokane’s public high and middle schools and in areas of Mead.

The current trend of gang violence began with a fight at Havermale School on Jan. 23 and continued with incidents at other schools, a dance and a basketball game, Lee said.

The Spokane police gang task force also works with officers from the Washington State Patrol, the state Department of Corrections, the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms.