DHS families demand changes amid growing gang wars

“It makes me feel scared, just when I’m walking home from school,” said 12-year-old Donovin Walter, who lives in Desert Hot Springs.

They are words no parent wants to hear from a child.

“I just have to keep my eye around the area, basically,” Walter said.

But in a city entrenched in a burgeoning gang war, this fear is a growing norm among DHS youth.

“I’m scared to death and I usually cry when I hear a gunshot,” said 14-year-old Madison Chambers, who said she recently witnessed gang members shooting at each other in cars near a local baseball park. “I just don’t want any more deaths in the city.”

City leaders met with the community Thursday night at a special council meeting, focused on tackling the issues head on. First, they acknowledged the city has a big problem.

“Gangs are coming from other cities into our city and establishing roots in our city,” said Detective Sergeant Gus Paiz. “They know what the city is going through.”

Officials say an understaffed police department coupled with the availability of cheap housing makes DHS a haven for parolees and gang members.

They believe the passage of Proposition 47 contributed to a “revolving door syndrome” for criminals released from overcrowded county prisons.

“In 2014 we only had 20 parolees that were listed with the state,” said Jeff Kirkpatrick, interim police chief. “Since January, we’ve had a 150% increase, we know how more than 50 registered parolees here in the community.”

Serious crimes are up 22 percent and gangs are battling over the drug trade, Kirkpatrick added.

“Even though they’re enemies they all network with social media. The minute a shooting happens sometimes it’s out before we even know about it,” said Sgt. Paiz.

But police announced their force will soon multiply. An empty building at the DHS police station will now be home to the Coachella Valley Task Force.

DHS police will also soon deploy decoy cars and grant money will help fund overtime for officers.

Gang sweeps like Wednesday’s Operation Safe Coachella 15.1 will also continue.

“I will not say when we’re going to execute them. We want that to be a surprise,” said Chief Kirkpatrick.

The city asked the community to do its part, as well. After Operation Falling Sun in 2009, police say they received tips frequently.

That’s no longer the case. They say many people may fear retaliation.

Families attending Thursday’s meeting say they are determined to change that to protect their kids.

“We need to help each other out, like neighborhood watches, and stop the gangs,” Chambers said.

“One day we could all get along,” Walter said. “Anything can happen, anything is possible.”