Gang Violence Getting Worse in Toppenish?

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Story Published: Mar 13, 2009 at 5:43 PM PDT

By Audrey Asistio

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TOPPENISH -- Toppenish police say since the recent murders, gang members from different cities have been coming into town, meaning more trouble could be on the way. Action News wanted to know how this compared to the past. Action News reporter Audrey Asistio asked Toppenish Police Sergeant Paul Logan, "Is the gang activity you have seen so far this year more than you have seen in previous years?" Logan replied, "I don't think so, the activity and crimes that we have seen committed, I don't think it's more than it's been in the past."

Toppenish police were not able to share any statistics with Action News, so they went off of their perception on whether things are better or worse than they have been before. Since they were not able to provide statistics, Action News looked into recent crimes in the area. There have been plenty of assaults, break-ins and thefts in Toppenish, this month alone. Police say hardly any of the crimes were gang related. But blatant gang wars keep happening. Police say gang member Anthony Sanchez admitted he and his sister shot and killed two rival gang members, last week. Witnesses told police four men were walking, when the Sanchez siblings drove up to them, asked them what gang they were with, then started shooting. And until harsher laws come to play, police can only try to stay one step ahead of the game.

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