Meeting targets ways to address gang violence

NAMPA, Idaho – Canyon County authorities have set up a town hall meeting for Monday to develop strategies of fighting the recent surge of gang violence.

A Nampa home was apparently among the latest drive-by shooting targets in the region — and the second in town in just a week. It was struck by gunfire early Friday morning, but no one was injured.

Caldwell neighborhoods have been stung by nearly 140 shootings since March, including attacks that killed one man and hurt two others in the last week alone. Sigmund Goode, 21, was fatally shot on Oct. 11. Two men have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with Goode’s slaying.

Investigators say the recent spike in violence is a combination of gang activity, illegal drugs, personal grudges and retaliation.

The Canyon County Prosecutor’s office set up the meeting to teach residents how they can help track down the gunmen and unite citizens to stop the violence.

“We’re going to have a situation where somebody’s grandmother, or somebody’s child getting on a school bus, is going to get shot,” Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Virginia Bond said. “We’re not going to sit around and wait for that to happen. We’re going to take action.”

Caldwell Police Capt. Chris Allgood said that in 19 years with the city, he has never seen crime like this.

“Back in the mid-80s, it was pretty busy,” he said, “but I don’t think it’s ever been this bad.”

Witnesses in recent shootings have been reluctant to give information to investigators, police said.

“It’s so unfair that people are not feeling safe in their houses anymore. That’s where they raise their kids and their families. They shouldn’t be afraid to go home,” Bond said. “We want them to be a part of this.”

Authorities hope the meeting will help keep the violence from escalating.

“We want to form a grass-roots effort. We want the community involved,” Bond explained. “We want the community to be aware of what’s going on and for us to be aware of their ideas for any solutions there may be.”

Meanwhile, residents of the Nampa neighborhood where the home was fired at Friday have decided to start new Neighborhood Watch programs or strengthen those that exist, said Shirley Dean, a representative of the North Nampa Residents Association.

Neighborhood Watch programs help neighbors get to know each other and look out for each other, and they teach residents how to gather information such as license plate numbers and descriptions of cars and people and report them.