Chief forms gang detail

HARLINGEN - Police Chief Daniel Castillo said Thursday that he has ordered the formation of a gang detail.

In a news conference, Castillo said the department will continue to enforce a "zero tolerance" stance to any gang-related activity.

The news conference came a day after Mayor Chris Boswell announced that he has created the Juvenile Crime, Graffiti and Gang Violence Task Force to assess juvenile and gang violence in Harlingen over the past five years.

"In light of recent events and the ongoing efforts of the Harlingen Police Department to address the issue of gang violence, I have ordered the formulation of a dedicated Gang Detail," said Castillo, a member of the task force.

The department wants the community to know that any individuals or groups involved in gang-related activity will not be tolerated, he said.

Castillo said members of the Gang Detail will be assigned to enhance efforts to address street-level gang activity already in place by the police department.

The department plans to enforce directed patrols and engage in the development and sharing of gang intelligence, strict enforcement of the law and aggressive prosecution of gang offenders, Castillo said.

"I, as the chief of police, welcome the assistance of the mayor's office and the formulation and collective wisdom of the community leaders called to serve on the Community Solutions Task Force," Castillo said.

The task force will compare trends in violence to that of nearby cities and make recommendations to improve law enforcement, education and community efforts to reduce these trends, the mayor said.