YSAGE
The Yuba-Sutter Anti-Gang Enforcement Unit

An example of a coordinated police effort.

Gang crime and violence are becoming significant issues throughout Yuba and Sutter Counties. The Yuba City Police Department is participating in a collaborative effort through the Yuba-Sutter Anti-Gang Enforcement Unit (YSAGE), which facilitates the implementation of successful community strategies designed to address the growing gang challenge. 

Our partners in this effort include:

1. Sutter County Sheriff’s Department
2. Yuba County Sheriff’s Department
3. Marysville Police Department
4. Wheatland Police Department
5. Yuba-Sutter California Highway Patrol
6. Yuba County Probation Department
7. Sutter County Probation Department
8. Marysville Parole
9. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
10. California Department of Corrections
11. Department of Justice Criminal Intelligence Bureau
12. Yuba and Sutter County District Attorney Offices
13. Yuba Community College Police Department
14. Bi-County Narcotics Enforcement Team

The mission of YSAGE is to reduce gang violence in Yuba and Sutter Counties through proactive enforcement efforts, intelligence gathering, and improved communication.

The collaborative allows the pooling of resources so that we can saturate the region two or more times per month with 30-40 officers and the specific aim of targeted gang enforcement and conducting associated investigative follow-up. This concept is now spreading to additional counties in Northern California, with a Yuba City Police Department gang investigators serving as the elected coordinator of the wider-area cooperative.

The Strategic Goals

Proactive Enforcement

Increase enforcement efforts of serious and violent crime, and enhance the sense of public safety.

Intelligence Gathering

Learn more about gang behavior and gang crime. Collect data and details including gang member names, most likely hangouts, high-risk neighborhoods, etc…

Developing Expertise

Identifying issues to be addressed. Learn more in order to address gang behavior and gang crime.

Improving Communication

Communicate with the team to identify existing and ongoing efforts and programs, key strategic issues, and areas for which action plans and community implementation are desired.

Networking

Network to create a delivery system and measures to track ongoing efforts. Coordinate with others for purposes of prevention, intervention, and enforcement in both counties. Create a circle of support. Coordinate efforts with groups and individuals already working on gang-related issues.

Recognizing and Preventing Gang Involvement

Here are some common warning signs of gang involvement. Parents should look for multiple signs to indicate possible gang involvement because some of these indicators alone, such as clothes or musical preferences are also common among youth not involved in gangs. Parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with local gang symbols, seek help early and consider contacting school personnel, local law enforcement, faith leaders, and community organizations for additional assistance.

Warning Signs

• Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo
• Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, or websites
• Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends
• Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls or tattoos
• Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries on hand/knuckles)
• Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry
• Carries a weapon
• Has been in trouble with the police
• Admits to “hanging out” with kids in gangs.

Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as:

• Withdrawing from family
• Declining school attendance, performance, and/or behavior
• Staying out late without reason
• Displaying an unusual desire for secrecy
• Exhibiting signs of drug use
• Breaking rules consistently
• Speaking in gang-style slang

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Gang Involvement

• Spend quality time with your child
• Get involved in your child’s school activities
• Be a positive role model and set the right example
• Know your child’s friends and their families
• Encourage good study habits
• Teach your child how to cope with peer pressure
• Help your child develop good conflict resolution skills (see www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/conflict.asp)
• Encourage your child to participate in positive after-school activities with adult supervision (recreation centers, organized sports, youth groups)
• Take action in your neighborhood (create a neighborhood alliance, report and remove graffiti)

Talk with your child about the dangers and consequences of gang involvement. Let your child know that you don’t want to see him or her hurt or arrested. Explain to your child that he or she should NOT:

• Associate with gang members
• Attend parties or social events sponsored by gangs
• Use hand signs, symbols, or language that is meaningful to gangs
• Wear clothing, including specific colors, that may have meaning to gangs in your area

ANONYMOUS TIP LINE

Get Involved!

Help Make Our Community Even Safer

(530) 822-2026