Gang Task Forces (Bay Area)

This is a list of local law enforcement anti-gang task forces, charged mainly with suppression and enforcement efforts.  These task forces usually are housed within one law enforcement agency, but represent multi-jurisdictional collaborations. 

Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force

The Gang Task Force was made operational on March 27, 2005. Under the Command of a Salinas Police Commander, the Task Force was staffed with one Sergeant each from the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff´s Office. They supervise four Salinas Police Officers, four Monterey County Sheriff´s Deputies and two Monterey County Probation Officers. A Deputy District Attorney contributed by the Monterey County District Attorney´s Office prosecutes criminal cases brought forth by task force officers.  Two CHP officers also have joined the task force.  Use of this task force concept is intended to insure a well-coordinated, countywide enforcement program, and increase the flow of gang related information among various law enforcement agencies within Monterey County.

Contact Information: Salinas Police Department - (831) 758-7224 - www.gangtaskforce.org

San Francisco Police Gang Task Force

The Gang Task Force of the Investigations Bureau consist of highly trained and knowledgeable Inspectors and officers who are responsible for the investigations of all non-fatal crimes committed by gang members in San Francisco.  Members of the task force attend numerous community and school meetings throughout the city to address the needs of communities and schools with information on how to divert “youth at risk” away from the gangs.  Task force officers are committed to teaching veteran officers and new recruits to recognize signs of gang involvement as well as tactics for handling gang members they confront.  Members of the task force network with federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat criminal activities locally and organized crime syndicates from abroad.

Contact Information: San Francisco Police Department - (415) 553-1401 - www.sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp

FBI/Solano County Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force

The FBI/Solano County Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force is a 10-member team with representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, all Solano cities (except Benicia), the FBI, parole and the Travis Air Force Base Office of Special Investigations.  Providing extra resources is the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving team, and other Sheriff’s units as needed.  The team was deputized by the FBI and the U.S. Marshals, granting them increased powers to enforce laws.

Contact Information: Solano County Sheriff's Office - (707) 421-7000 - www.co.solano.ca.us/depts/sheriff/special_teams/safe_streets_gang_task_force

Sonoma County MAGNET (Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Team)

The MAGNET task force is made up of officers from the county's various law enforcement agencies, including the Rohnert Park Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. The Santa Rosa department's crime-suppression unit also works closely with the gang task force. The enforcement team responds to, and attempts to solve, gang crimes. It also works closely with detectives and patrol officers from various agencies to gather and share intelligence about gang activities in those jurisdictions and to maintain detailed records on gang members' affiliations and crimes. With the aid of probation and parole officers, the task force periodically visits gang members' homes and neighborhoods.

Contact Information: Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department - (707) 565-2511 - www.sonomasheriff.org