" That percentage can't be right. That would mean that all the gang members in Napa are either Nortenos or Surenos. What about all the other people who are in other gangs? "

" Joe, there basically are no other gangs in Napa. There are, however, several sub-gangs or factions within Nortenos and Surenos. "

" If Redwood middle school can profile with a dress code, then why can't the cops profile...??? The liberal judges won't allow it, and there's the problem...

"If it walks like a duck..." Let's get real here... "

" I find it difficult to believe that there arn no other gangs other than latino gangs. "

" I'm trying to put myself into the mind of a young person who HAS THE TIME to drive around searching for trouble. Are they doing this to maintain territory for an illegal drug market? How did this second or third generation of farmworking family end out on the streets rather than working in the vineyards? If they're in the streets defending territory where does the next pool of farmworkers come from?

These kids become Americanized and yet due to their cultural differences they are not gaining enough from our educational system to apply it to the real working world. They are stuck somewhere in between viewing themselves as "too good" to work the vineyards as their families before them did and yet not well enough prepared by the educational system to do anything meaningful with what they've learned besides working at a fast food restaurant or remaining on the street causing trouble.

Their numbers are overwhelming. 800 registered gang members? Even if we could turn their lives around, what jobs do we put them into? And the resources to pick up the slack caused by their parent's unwillingness to help is then transferred to the community to pay? I wonder, if we divert resources toward solving this problem, who are we taking away from? The handicapped, the elderly?

The only handicap these young men have is perhaps a challenge in overcoming the language barrier and applying it to verbal and written skills. Would it make any difference, pouring more resources into their education? Once again, taxpayers are footing the bill for big agricultural interests. We need a system of transporting migrant workers to do seasonal work, creating temporary housing which can be disassembled at the end of the season, and then transporting them home. "

" a teacher...do you know something? Because that is a good question.

Let it out there if you know. I remember living in Santa Clara county and there certainly were gangs other than the Sureno/Norteno.
I haven't heard anything about other/rival gangs here in Napa.

Vocal-de-Local: you honestly don't believe that these are just male gangbangers, do you? I remember in the '90's...lots of chola's out there, as nasty as THAT is! "

" 44 non hispanic surenos, 144 non hispanic nurtenos. All told there are 188 non hispanic gang bangers (registered) in Napa, less than 24% of all registered gang bangers. Honestly that's quite a bit more than I thought there would be. Many folks think that education and poverty are the main reasons people join gangs. Well there is a solution to that. Build another "jail" to house all registered gang bangers. Make them were a uniform and put them on lock down 22/7 for awhile. Slowly start educating them while they are locked down and give them incentives (tv, yard time, family visits, etc etc) when they show effort and improvement. However do not make their time inside enjoyable. It has to be such an atmosphere and environment that makes them want to get educated to get the heck out of there. Evaluate them every year and if they aren't improving ship them back to mommy and daddy with very strict parole/probation rules. "

" 800 Registered gang members in Napa?
Hey Zeus! Obviously it is a Big secret to the tourists....we've never seen that kina of data in your brochures of Vino Country. But thanks for the headsup cuz I won't be going there anymore. "

" lol annabella, wake up! gangs are everywhere. 800 is nothing, i used to live in santa rosa, and there are way more than 2,000 gang members there so napa is a breath of fresh air to me!! "

" a teacher wrote on Sep 28, 2008 11:51 AM:
" I find it difficult to believe that there arn no other gangs other than latino gangs. "

Yeah, those German gangs and blond pony-tailed cheerleader gangs are vicious, aren't they....

What language does Sureno/Norteno come from, Portuguese...???

How about the strawberry-vendor gang...??? The cops are right on top of them...!!! "

" Pretty soon there will be way more gang members in Napa unless we somehow get American Canyon moved to Solano county. American Canyon pretty much seems like part of Vallejo.There is no open space in between the two cities. A good spot for the new city limit would be right near Green Island Road on 29 right before coming to Wal Mart. Then Napa would still have the vineyards right there by South Kelly Road but we won't have to have American Canyon. "

" Joe, I don't think moving a line on a map is going to make a difference.

What I'm wondering is what the process is for registering a gang member. How accurate is this ? "

" Where did you get these stats from? A 1990 text book? Give me a number to call so I can educate you on California gangs. "

" If you look at the percentages, that would mean 50% of the gang members in Napa are not latino, right? Even if there aren't other gangs (I think certain other groups could be considered very close), that means that all the gangs in Napa aren't all latinos... maybe that will get our leadership into some positive action. "

" I hope we can keep better track of registered gang members than we do registered sex offenders. A good percentage of them are "whereabouts unknown." "

" How about those "redneck" gangs?
Flying the american flags in their truck.
Playing American football and speaking english!
Terrible!
LOL "

" southnapareader wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:50 PM:
" If you look at the percentages, that would mean 50% of the gang members in Napa are not latino, right?

Wrong ...

asahigo wrote on Sep 28, 2008 5:12 PM:
" 44 non hispanic surenos, 144 non hispanic nurtenos. All told there are 188 non hispanic gang bangers (registered) in Napa, less than 24% of all registered gang bangers "

" I don't understand, anyone care to clear it up for me? North& South, correct? Did these young men or women purchase property with their hard earned $$$.Is the rival gang trying to take it over??? I'm not even sure if this has anything to do with Mexico! By the way, I love it there. Well, when I was in school, if there were to be a fight... one person would"call out" the other, then meet and settle it up one on one. Not the same huh? I can't make sense outa something that doesn't make sense. "

" a teacher wrote on Sep 28, 2008 11:51 AM:
" I find it difficult to believe that there arn no other gangs other than latino gangs.

There is a link near the top of this page to another Register article called "Getting Younger Every Year"in which someone says:
"In addition to Norteño and Sureño, Vintage also has some Bloods and Crips, as well as members of an Asian gang known as AZB 126." "

" there are also active aryan brotherhood and kkk here also just not out in the open flying colors "

" Still wondering _ what is the purpose of these gangs? Even from their view point... What is the significances with red /blue 13& 14? Is there a white & 12 or 15 also?Please help me make sense outa this. Is this a stupid ? . "