Gangs in Santa Barbara
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Gangs from the Eastside, Westside, and beyond have been part of Santa Barbara for decades. But in recent years, the gang warfare — especially amongst teenagers — has escalated. This is the collection of Independent.com's gang coverage.
Gang Prevention Effort Off to Slow Start
Jobs Programs for At-Risk Youth Show Promise
Jobs program for at-risk youth show promise, but summertime fears linger. Read story.
13-Year-Old Stabbed in Gang Fight
Juveniles Brawled Thursday Afternoon Near Downtown Borders
A group of juveniles reportedly brawled Thursday afternoon near the downtown Borders. Read story.
Gang Murder Cases Collide in Juvenile Hall
Three Santa Barbara Teen Suspects — Including Convicted Murderer Ricardo Juarez — Attack a Fourth Alleged Killer
Three Santa Barbara teen suspects — including convicted murdered Ricardo Juarez — attack a fourth alleged killer while incarcerated. Read story.
Witness to Leal Murder Assaulted
Police Arrest Three on Intimidation Charges
Police arrested three for alleged intimidation and two for the attack itself. Read story.
Marching in Memory of Murder Victim
More Than 100 Come Together to Demand Safety in Santa Barbara’s West Downtown Neighborhood
More than 100 come together to demand safety in Santa Barbara’s West Downtown neighborhood. Read story.
Juarez Sentenced to 17 Years in State Prison
15-Year-Old Given Medium Amount of Jail Time for 2007 Stabbing Death
The 15-year-old was given the medium amount of jail time for his role in a 2007 gang stabbing death. Read story.
Gang Prevention Lite
Hard Times Hit Groups for At-Risk Youth
A coalition of six chronically under-funded community groups that have been making it their business to deal with “hard core” gang members and at-risk youth announced they were forming a formal partnership to achieve a degree of financial stability that has so far eluded them. Read story.
Holocaust Survivors Share Stories With At-Risk Youth
Hope to Inspire Potential Gang Members to Choose a Different Life
The speakers aimed to inspire potential gang members to choose a different life. Read story.
Juarez Sentencing Postponed
Judge Moves Hearing to Wednesday, January 14
Judge moves hearing to Wednesday, January 14. Read story.
Fighting Gangs with Film
Program Gives “High-Risk” Kids an Alternative to Gangbanging
Youth CineMedia gives “high-risk” Santa Barbara kids an attractive alternative to gangbanging. Read story.
Juarez’s Sentencing Postponed Until 2009
Convicted Teenaged Murderer Not Sentenced on Thursday
Convicted teenaged murderer not sentenced on Thursday after all. Read story.
Jurors Reach Verdict in Juarez Trial
Decision Coincides With Large-Scale Eastside Gang Raid
Another apparently gang-related stabbing hit Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood early Monday morning, leaving a 15-year-old in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Read story.
Police Investigate Stabbing of 15-Year-Old
Boy Taken to Hospital, Suffered Non-Life-Threatening Wounds to His Arms
The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds to his arms. Read story.
Ricardo Juarez Not Guilty of Murder
15-Year-Old Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter; Faces Up to 22 Years in Prison
15-year-old Eastsider found guilty of voluntary manslaughter; faces up to 22 years in prison. Read story.
Feds Take Down Eastside Gangsters
Operation “Gator Roll” Leads to 28 Indictments and Nine Arrests in Morning Raid
Operation “Gator Roll” leads to 28 indictments and nine arrests in morning raid. Read story.
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