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8/31/2016 Print Article:Gang cops from around the world descend on Garden Grove for annual confab ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Gang cops from around the world descend on Garden Grove for annual confab By JOSHUA SUDOCK 2016-08-16 17:30:49 _ GARDEN GROVE—Law enforcement from around the world gathered at z the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Tuesday to discuss gang enforcement during the 25th annual California Gang Investigators Association conference. More than 700 gang cops from 163 agencies,22 states and four countries 101' assembled in a hotel ballroom and listened as a panel of top brass from A various Southern California agencies welcomed them to the four-day seminar. Over the next few days,officers will discuss best practices and try to enrich one another through guided conversations and workshops. They'll explore various gang cultures by ethnicity, intelligence-gathering techniques, data analysis, human trafficking, ethics, personal safety and prison gangs. "There are people in this room who have tried very creative means to solve cases and, in addition to the litany of(classes)and first-rate instructors, that's where the value is,"Anaheim Deputy Chief Julian Harvey told participants. "Talk to these people during the breaks.That's the value of this conference." While speakers were quick to note that crime rates in Orange County pale in comparison to places like Los Angeles, many noted an uptick in gang-related activities and violence in recent years, citing the passage of laws such as Assembly Bill 109,which shortens jail time for non-violent criminals, and Prop.47,which reduces certain drug-possession felonies to misdemeanors. "Over the past 20 months, gang violence in Orange County has surged with the city of Santa Ana leading the way," Garden Grove police Chief Todd Elgin told the group. "In 2016, the city of Santa Ana experienced 55 gang shootings in the first 50 days of the new year. "In Garden Grove,gang assaults have increased 30 percent over the previous year,and we are seeing a resurgence in gang-recruitment activities in our neighborhoods,"the chief said. "Today's gang members ... utilize social media and technology to assist in their criminal activities," Elgin said. Still, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens told the group she was optimistic about law enforcement's ability to keep pace with—and even get ahead of—evolving trends in gang activity. "I am inspired every time I address a group like this," Hutchens said. "With all of the obstacles placed in your way,you still step up to do the job and our communities are safer because of you." Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or jsudockocregister.com U Copyright 2016 Freedom Communications.All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy&Terms of Service I Com/right I Site Map httpl/www.ocregister.com/commonlprinter/view.php?db=ocregister&id=725980 111 REFERENCE #7