Gangs Bring Violence, Drugs, Crime to Quaint Town

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By Chelsea Kopta

Summary

Walla Walla police said gang activity plagues the city, bringing violence and drug deals.

Story Published: Feb 2, 2007 at 6:57 PM PST

Gangs Bring Violence, Drugs, Crime to Quaint Town
WALLA WALLA -- A plea deal today for a gang member who nearly stabbed a man to death. Javier Ortega pled guilty Friday to felony assault. He stabbed a Walla Walla man 22 times last fall and he survived.

Another gang member, Ricardo Serrano, still faces trial for the same crime. Walla Walla police said gang activity still plagues the city, bringing violence and drug deals.

"I've been here for 32 years and i've never heard of someone stabbed that many times," said Sgt. Randy Allessio. "This level of violence is unprecedented".

Unprecedented, perhaps, but gang violence and crime is a surprisingly common reality for quaint Walla Walla.

"Where are the drugs sold? They're everywhere," said Allesio. "They're everywhere."

Police said the culture of gang activity has changed. Once territorial groups now work together in what police call "organized drug trafficking."

"It surprises me and scares me," said the Walla Walla sergeant.

Police caught gang members selling methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine and over-the-counter pills. In one house, police found $401,000 worth of drug money.

Members deal on Cherry St., Main St., 9th St. - everywhere in the city and in the middle of the day.

"Doper's don't have a clock," Allessio said. "They deal when it is convenient for them".

The Walla Walla Police Department has three narcotics officers on staff and two gang investigators: they work non-stop. They

But local attorneys said gang members easily entice younger members: younger friends, little brothers, even their own sons. Police said gang members flaunt money, drugs, alcohol, girls and flashy cars - a message that keeps gang activity a chronic problem.

"We're seeing one group of 13-14 year-olds who are the next movers and shakers in the gangs," said Walla Walla prosecuting attorney, Joseph Golden.

Police said they know of more than two-dozen local involved in gangs, some as young as 10. Police have a difficult task: stop the older gang members before they recruit the young ones.

"If they don't figure it out, the same thing is going to the ones they worship - the guys in prison," said Golden. "Until they figure that out they're going the same way."

Police are tracking gang members everyday.

They said gangmember Ortega will serve up to 17 years in prison.