Arrests made in Pasco drive-by shooting

PASCO, Wash. - Neighborhoods like the one off North Cedar Avenue and Parkway in Pasco are becoming known as gang territories.

Norma Garcia said, "Long time ago, like 3 years ago, that happened. The same thing her on that corner too."

She lives near the corner where a rolling drive-by happened late last month. Police say two girls, one 17 years old, the other 10, were targeted by five documented gang members..

Pasco Police Captain Jim Raymond said the summer was a lot more quiet than usual. "It was actually kind of strange because we were anticipating that we were going to see, some, you know, gang activity and some violence," he said.

All police agencies, including Benton and Franklin County Sheriffs departments, are sharing resources saturating the areas known as gang hot spots.

Through the end of summer last year, Kennewick had 2 gang-related shootings concentrated in the downtown area. Pasco had 11, mostly on the east side of town.

By the end of this summer, gang shootings in Kennewick increased slightly to five, again mostly near downtown.

They dropped in Pasco to seven, again mostly on the east side.

Tracking crime trends is as hard as making arrests. Police say witnesses don't often cooperate. In the case of the recent Pasco shooting, they caught a break. Detectives arrested two 16 years olds and 19-year-old Juan Vargas for felony adult assault charges.

Neighbors like Norma Garcia are thankful.

"I feel safe, but right now what happened, we feel like we're worrying a lot about the kids because they play outside," she said.

Hoping they never come in the line of fire.

Pasco police will get an extra boost in their fight against gangs.

Their 4 member gang unit is set to hit the streets full force by next January.