Deputies step up gang enforcement

Three people were arrested Saturday in a gang sweep in which police officers contacted more than three-dozen gang members.

Carson City Sheriff's Lt. Bob White said Saturday's operation, funded by a gang suppression grant, is just the first in an ongoing series of sweeps in gang areas.

"We are going to aggressively attack the gang problem in Carson City through proactive enforcement of the laws," said White.

White said the homes of 29 known gang members were visited, 18 people were stopped on the street and interviewed, 14 searches were conducted, 19 traffic stops took place and three citations were issued.

He said one juvenile gang member was arrested for having a graffiti instrument, described as a "marker," another juvenile was arrested for traffic violations, and another was arrested on a probation violation.

In addition to these sweeps, the Sheriff's Department's full time gang unit will also continue to work their operations, White said.

"We have no tolerance for gangs," he said. "The community will not tolerate gangs."

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.