Police Seek to Boost Soccer Game Patrols

OXNARD —  Hoping to prevent gang attacks during soccer games, the Police Department is poised to step up patrols at Del Sol Park and other recreation spots in La Colonia.

Soccer players from across Ventura County compete at Del Sol, but the games have been marred by violence this year. Police Chief Harold Hurtt said there have been at least six incidents in which soccer players and coaches were assaulted or threatened by suspected gang members.

“We don’t want people to feel intimidated,” Hurtt said. “We want them to be able to go to the park. We have up to 700 people playing soccer on Saturday. It shouldn’t be any different for them than people playing at any other park in the city or the county.”

City officials say gang members are trying to reclaim areas that in recent years have become hubs for youth sports.

“The gangs have a turf issue,” said Sal Gonzalez, director of the city’s Housing Authority.

Under a plan to be discussed by City Council members Tuesday, the Housing Authority would give $30,000 to the Police Department for increased patrols. That would enable at least one officer to be at Del Sol during soccer games, officials said.

Officers assigned to La Colonia frequently stop by the park, but the recent incidents convinced police they need a greater presence. The money would pay for three months of patrols, after which officials will take another look at the problem.

While none of the soccer game attacks has resulted in serious injury, officials say the patrols are needed to stop the fistfights from escalating.

“The question is retaliation,” said Housing Authority official Arturo Casillas. “It’s only a matter of time before they come back with weapons.”

Added Arturo Galindo, a soccer coach who has joined a Neighborhood Watch team that now patrols Del Sol Park, “A lot of people are concerned about going to the park with that trouble. This is sports. It’s unfair to everybody.”

Police also plan to step up patrols in nearby Colonia Park, where Little League games are held, and at Colonia Gym.

Officials say that drunks at Colonia Park have urinated on the grass during Little League games. At Colonia Gym, gang members have allegedly broken into cars and threatened people outside the gym. Police have installed a camera system at the gym to track activity.

But incidents at soccer games have drawn the most concern.

“It’s the No. 1 sport here,” Casillas said. “We drew the line with Del Sol Park.”

The Housing Authority subsidizes the Ventura County Youth Soccer League, a 700-player organization of boys and girls mostly between 5 and 13. About 90% of the players live in public housing, officials said, and the year-round soccer league is viewed as a way to keep them diverted from gang life.

In one of the worst incidents this year, Casillas said, a player’s father was attacked by gang members. In another instance, members of a Moorpark soccer team fought with gang members. And in one case, a group of coaches was attacked, he said.

Residents and officials have already moved to stop the violence. Police are working on a program that allows youths who are banned from Del Sol Park as part of their probation to join the soccer league. A Neighborhood Watch program made up of soccer coaches was formed earlier this year.

“Soccer is important because it keeps a lot of children busy, for one thing,” said Mayor Manuel Lopez, who has had several meetings with police and coaches about problems at Del Sol. “It’s part of the culture. Soccer is the sport for youngsters, and more in La Colonia than elsewhere.”

Police Chief Hurtt said stepping up patrols is the best way to keep players and coaches safe.

“I think we need to face the reality that some people in our community may have antisocial behavior,” he said. “The only way to deal with it is enforcement.”