OAKLAND, CA – City Attorney John Russo and Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts held a press conference on Feb. 18 to announce a new tool in the fight against gang violence in Oakland.
 
The City Attorney and the Police Chief announced a civil lawsuit seeking a gang injunction against the North Side Oakland gang. According to an announcement from Russo’s office, the gang is known for drug sales, robberies, shootings and homicides in North Oakland.

“This gang has terrorized our community, intimidated witnesses & recruited children to their criminal enterprise,” Russo said. “They are part of a malevolent force that has crippled our city for decades and continues to hold Oakland back today.”

If granted by a judge, the injunction will declare North Side Oakland a public nuisance and prohibit its members from certain activities within a Safety Zone – about 100 blocks between I-580, Emeryville, Berkeley and Telegraph Avenue.

Restrictions include:

• Do not associate with other gang members in public.
• Do no confront, intimidate or assault witnesses.
• Do not possess firearms or dangerous weapons.
• Do not possess graffiti/vandalism tools.
• Stay away from drugs.
• No trespassing.
• No gang recruitment.
• Obey all laws and time restrictions.

A violation of the injunction is considered contempt of court – a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
According to police, North Side Oakland was involved in three incidents involving murder, shooting or gun possession in 2007. In 2008, that number rose to seven incidents. In 2009 it escalated to 18 incidents, including seven murders.