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Home > All News > 2009 News Salinas guns-for-gifts gets Schwarzenegger's backing Exchange in Salinas called method for community to combat gang violence By LARRY PARSONS Herald Staff Writer Updated: 06/01/2009 08:52:59 AM PDT A first-time, guns-for-gifts exchange next week in Salinas received a hearty endorsement Friday from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as a way for the community to combat gang violence. The governor, greeted at Salinas City Hall by about 80 schoolchildren wearing black-and-silver T-shirts with Schwarzenegger's face and the motto "Terminate Violence," said a "Gifts for Gun" program that started in Los Angeles County in 2005 has taken 3,000 firearms out of circulation. "It's been a huge success," Schwarzenegger said during a 35-minute appearance in the City Hall Rotunda jammed with students, public officials and people who wanted to see the governor. On the sidewalk, about 20 Salinas beauty school students carried placards bemoaning state budget cuts to job-training programs they said is putting their education in jeopardy. Two mannequin heads with nicely coiffed wigs sat at protesters' feet. The governor touched on the $24 billion state budget gap during his appearance, but he and Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, and Salinas Police Chief Louis Fetherolf mostly promoted the upcoming gun exchange and implored community members to participate. Caballero urged parents to search their homes for firearms that gang-minded children may be hiding and to bring them to the gun exchange. "If you don't do that, then you are part of the problem," Caballero said. Fetherolf said the exchange will be a no-questions-asked, no-names-required event aimed simply at taking firearms out of the pool of weapons that could be used in violent crime. "I don't know what to expect," he said afterward. But the surrender of any number of firearms — especially handguns and assault weapons that lend themselves to criminal activity — would be a success, he said. All of the weapons, except stolen guns that can be returned to their rightful owners, will be destroyed, he said. Firearms turned in will be checked to determine if they might have been used in crimes, Fetherolf said. "If we find a weapon has been used in a crime ... that lets us know it's been taken out of circulation," he said. The exchange is being paid for with a $20,000 private donation from a source that requested anonymity, the police chief said. The governor said the donation is a good example of the private and public sectors working together to combat gang violence. Salinas has recorded 14 homicides this year after setting a bloody record in 2008 with 25 homicides, 23 of which police tied to gang violence. The governor said that while Sacramento can help coordinate anti-gang efforts and put money into local programs, the "activity is in the trenches, in the towns all over California." He said Salinas is going through troubled times with the surge in gang violence. "Without gang violence, Salinas would be a very peaceful community," he said. He promised that Salinas is not alone in its efforts to reduce gang crime, noting the community has received nearly $1 million in two grants from the state Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention program. The program started by the governor two years ago has helped the Silver Star youth program and stepped-up law enforcement efforts against gangs. Speaking directly to the gathered students — some from Sacred Heart School and some involved in the Police Activities League — Schwarzenegger urged them to stay in school, study hard and strive to be as smart as they can. "You can be rebels, but be good kids," he said. As for the looming budget battle over the deep cuts he unveiled this week in education, health care, parks and other programs, Schwarzenegger said California must learn to live within its means. He said voters turned down a $6 billion revenue package this month, taxes can't be raised and the recession is eroding state revenues. "There will be difficult times ahead," he said, adding that he understands the human toll the budget meltdown is taking. "For every cut we are making, it's very difficult for me."   News Topics | Surenos | Home | Research | History | Blood Gangs | Crip Gangs | People | Gallery | Blog |