Caldwell seeks grant to fight violence

CALDWELL, Idaho – Moving beyond its own community-based initiative, city leaders are asking the federal government for financial help in combatting an escalation in gang-related shootings.

The grant, if approved, could inject $175,000 into Caldwell’s battle against the gun violence, that has left two dead, more wounded and neighborhoods in fear over the past three months.

“It’s based upon two components: weeding criminal elements out of a community and planting a seed, through prevention and education, to preserve quality of life,” Mayor Garret Nancolas said. “This is a long-term solution.”

The grant application was filed this week as two men charged with Caldwell’s latest gang-related drive-by shooting were ordered to stand trial for the slaying of Sigmund Goode, 21.

Ismael Tovar, 29, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Goode at noon on Oct. 11, and Lucio Esparza, 23, is charged with aiding and abetting in Goode’s killing. Witnesses said Goode and Tovar had a heated argument elsewhere in Caldwell just hours before the shooting.

No date has been set for the trial in the heavily agricultural community about 25 miles west of Boise.

Since that death, neighborhoods have set up crime watches, and the county has established a Public Safety League to merge community efforts with law enforcement to stop the violence and prosecute those responsible.

The city could know by February if it will get the federal grant. Police Chief Bob Sobba said the grant amounts could increase in future years.

The money could initially finance increased resources to attack crime on the city’s west side before the emphasis begins shifting in the second year of the initiative to neighborhood programs to deal with drug abuse, increase community involvement by both juveniles and their parents and provide safe havens.

Projects from skateboard parks to baseball diamonds could be financed.

Nancolas said many of the more than 100 shooting reports filed since July have involved second- and third-generation gang members.

“The problem was not created overnight,” the mayor said, “and will take time to fix. The seed portion of this is to break that cycle.”