Matt Sanchez, the former Eastside gang leader who spent the past 20 years working to provide at-risk teens an alternative to the gang life, died Wednesday from complications stemming from liver and kidney problems.
By day, Sanchez ran Montecito Barbers, but in the rest of his time he played a founding role with such organizations as All for One and Hoods in the Woods that target young men drawn to the gang scene. His agenda was not just to take at-risk kids out of their environment and show them some place new — like a camping trip to the Sierras — but to take them with members of rival gangs. Such trips, however, came only after much mentoring, counseling, and talking.
Paul Wellman
Matt Sanchez speaks with Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider and Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf during a South Coast Gang Task Force meeting (2011)
What made young gang members listen was Sanchez's own personal history. As a teen in the 1970s, Sanchez, a bear of a man with slicked-back black hair, was a shot-caller with an Eastside gang, and his role in that regard has since become the stuff of urban legend. Many a retired cop has war stories of chasing Sanchez and his brother all over town. While his brother accidentally shot himself playing Russian roulette, Sanchez wound up addicted to heroin and spending nearly four years behind bars in various lockups. He would also join the Marines and kick his addiction.
Paul Wellman
Matt Sanchez and City Special Projects Manager Don Olson (2009)
When gang activity began to spike in the early 1990s, Sanchez emerged as a key player in the response to find solutions other than incarceration. He worked closely with former city councilmember Babatunde Folayemi — also recently deceased — and the Pro-Youth Coalition, helping to create the Hoods in the Woods program. Later, he would start All for One. Those efforts were given fresh urgency after a 14-year-old Eastsider stabbed a 15-year-old Westsider to death on State Street by Saks Fifth Avenue five years ago.
As gang violence became more of a community concern, city officials pushed for stricter law enforcement. But others in the community, like Sanchez, called for different options and other approaches. When South Coast movers and shakers sought to assemble a team of major players to form the South Coast Task Force on Youth Gangs, Sanchez was at the top of everyone's list. He was a central figure in community discussions and debates over gang violence.
In this dialog, Sanchez displayed rare endurance and longevity. He managed to be blunt and very direct but without being personal. In 2000, Sanchez was awarded the California Peace Prize by the California Wellness Foundation, along with the likes of the more nationally famous Father Gregory Boyle of Los Angeles. With that award, he was also given $25,000.
Paul Wellman
Matt Sanchez addresses Santa Barbra Police Chief Cam Sanchez and other officials at a South Coast Gang Task Force meeting (2008)
In recent years, Sanchez and his family have been beset by a host of problems. He himself weathered a bout with cancer, and his barbershop burned down. And his parents were victimized by notorious scam artist Denise D'Sant Angelo, who persuaded them she could help prevent them from losing their home to foreclosure. Not only did the Sanchezes lose their home, but they lost thousands of dollars to D'Sant Angelo as well. Despite such hardships, Sanchez took delight during his last months in riding the Harley-Davidson his son bought him.
Previous Month
Comments
Matt has one helluva fine man, and he used his difficult experiences growing up in meaningful ways. Our community will miss him.
DrDan (anonymous profile)
August 8, 2012 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A man trying to give back with interest what he had taken in his youth. If we want to avoid more prisons then we need more of these kind of people.
AZ2SB (anonymous profile)
August 8, 2012 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God rest your soul Matt. You realized that you had so much more to give as a leader and acted on that. You made a difference my friend, and you will not be forgotten.
SBLover35 (anonymous profile)
August 8, 2012 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We all mourn the loss of Matt, a man who earned the respect of all whose lives he touched. I would send his family my condolences. He will always be remembered and missed.
streetsweeper (anonymous profile)
August 9, 2012 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Matt Sanchez was a very decent man - always a gentleman, always respectful. I knew him back in darker days and saw him completely turn his life around. He knew how he could best contribute and he did it. Condolences to Dawn and the rest of his family. I will always remember how kind he was to me.
bloodydramaqueen (anonymous profile)
August 9, 2012 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The good die young...and Matt was the best. Some people DO make a difference...and their loss will make a difference too.
OldSchool (anonymous profile)
August 9, 2012 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I grew up being around Matt. Him and his family would babysit me when I was an infant, and he was my barber for 17 of my 19 years of my life. He will be missed.
pto (anonymous profile)
August 10, 2012 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well over a decade ago I was getting a haircut from Matt and a man walked by an old lady's shopping cart and stole her purse. Matt did not hesitate for one second. He chased down the man before he had even gotten to Little Alex's and sat on him until the police arrived. You will be missed dearly sir. Thank you for the great memories
tmcmanig (anonymous profile)
August 10, 2012 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Matt was the best. always said hello. Would shout out. "hey Mike what's" up from across the parking lot. Always made you laugh. Treated everybody with respect. I will miss him dearly.
I remember sitting in Matt's chair. he was cutting my hair and Johnathan Winter was their. Mr. Winters made us laugh so hard the barbers had to stop cutting hair for 20 minutes. His barber shop was the best. I always loved going their.
buster123 (anonymous profile)
August 14, 2012 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
e1986gonzalez (anonymous profile)
August 16, 2012 at 12:37 p.m.
Matt was a super great guy. He helped many young men that needed guidance... Yes. He will be missed by many, but remembered for the great deeds he did for others.
Trying2 (anonymous profile)
August 16, 2012 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)