Tag a building in Toppenish and get sent to jail
TOPPENISH -- A city with a history of gang crime and petty theft, is where Bobby Ring calls home. But, she is not afraid.
"Toppenish has a bad reputation, but I find it a very good little town to live in," says Ring.
And after 60 years here, she's had a front row seat to the changes in this community. Police chief Adam Diaz has too, and says the city continues to take action. Most recently they mandated that any gang member who breaks any law, faces up to three months in jail or a $500 fine.
"It's just another tool that's supportive of law enforcement's efforts to address gang behavior," says Diaz. "We know statistically it's helping as far as crime."
But looking at the statistics, "helping" seems like an understatement. In 2009, there were over 300 gang related crimes in Toppenish. Jump to 2010, and that number drops to just over 180. And so far this year, we're at about 100. That's about a 70% drop in just two years.
"When people know there's a punishment, justice or some kind of consequence, I think they're a little more reluctant," says Diaz.
And most people we talked to in Toppenish say they've seen the changes in the community. And Chief Diaz says it's not just the new law in place making the difference, It's community involvement.
"We've had positive feedback," says Diaz. "Especially with graffiti. We have a lot of volunteers in community who have helped paint over the graffiti."
A combination that has delivered quite a blow to gangs in Toppenish.
The chief also says he's hoping the new ordinance and community effort will continue despite the city's budget challenges ahead.
"Toppenish has a bad reputation, but I find it a very good little town to live in," says Ring.
And after 60 years here, she's had a front row seat to the changes in this community. Police chief Adam Diaz has too, and says the city continues to take action. Most recently they mandated that any gang member who breaks any law, faces up to three months in jail or a $500 fine.
"It's just another tool that's supportive of law enforcement's efforts to address gang behavior," says Diaz. "We know statistically it's helping as far as crime."
But looking at the statistics, "helping" seems like an understatement. In 2009, there were over 300 gang related crimes in Toppenish. Jump to 2010, and that number drops to just over 180. And so far this year, we're at about 100. That's about a 70% drop in just two years.
"When people know there's a punishment, justice or some kind of consequence, I think they're a little more reluctant," says Diaz.
And most people we talked to in Toppenish say they've seen the changes in the community. And Chief Diaz says it's not just the new law in place making the difference, It's community involvement.
"We've had positive feedback," says Diaz. "Especially with graffiti. We have a lot of volunteers in community who have helped paint over the graffiti."
A combination that has delivered quite a blow to gangs in Toppenish.
The chief also says he's hoping the new ordinance and community effort will continue despite the city's budget challenges ahead.
More to Explore
Learn about changes coming to commenting