SEASIDE, Calif. -- The City of Seaside now has an ad-hoc task force to prevent violent crime and illegal narcotic sales.
The Peninsula Regional Violence Narcotics Team and the Monterey Special Response Unit is utilizing a "BearCat," a light-armored vehicle, to get criminals off of the streets.
"We are not going to tolerate this type of activity in Seaside," said Vicki Myers, Seaside police chief. "We are going to do everything we can to make sure we are going to hunt down those who are going to come into our city, break our laws and strike fear into our community."
On Friday, officers used the BearCat to serve a search warrant on a home in the 1100 block of Waring Street.
"It allows us to come in and get up close to the house, while minimizing the risk the officers face, because it (the vehicle) can take certain rounds. For instance, if someone were to shoot at the tires, the vehicle still can move. It doesn't matter if the vehicle's tires are shot," said Chief Myers.
Inside the home, the team found a small marijuana grow operation, several firearms and gang paraphenalia.
Chief Myers said prior to the task force, the city only had a street crimes unit, a team of just three.
Now, it's working with a team of eight or more when tackling violent crimes.
"This is just one small sample of what we are able to accomplish by working together regionally," Chief Myers said.
Since Oct. 25, this same team arrested 11 known gang members and seized six weapons.
The department hopes to get more of them off the streets as it continues to do these operations.
The California Highway Patrol got the BearCat from the United States Army and then gave it to the city of Seaside, Chief Myers said.
She said it only costs the city about $750 a year to operate since it isn't used often.
Law enforcement agencies on the peninsula have been working to create the task force for more than a year.
In addition to Seaside, the agencies involved are: the CHP, CSUMB, Marina Police, Sand City Police, Pacific Grove Police, Monterey Police and Carmel By-The-Sea Police departments.
On Oct. 30, the PRVNT unit served three search warrants in Seaside and arrested three known gang members: Carlos Arrezola for possession of an assault rifle, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and gang enhancement; Victor Gonzales for possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana for sale, and gang enhancement; and Ricardo Gonzales for possession of marijuana for sale and gang enhancement.
