NAMPA - There's a new push in Nampa to stop a recent resurgence of gang violence in the city.
More than a decade ago, the city's police department formed a gang unit after drive-by shootings and homicides skyrocketed. But those officers were re-assigned to other divisions back in 2012.
Now, after several recent gang-related crimes, the entire department will focus on containing the problem.
Deputy Chief Brad Daniels says the gang-related violence started in the late 1990s. He says by 2000, violent crime was getting out of control.
"There was a lot of overt behavior in those days, a lot of gang members dressed down and out causing trouble, trying to intimidate people who were just trying to live their own lives," said Daniels, who was the first officer assigned to tackle the growing problem.
Then, in 2004, after public outcry, the decision was made to create a gang unit with five officers.
Daniels says at that time they were investigating about 250 violent gang-related crimes a year. But, he says eventually their unit worked. By 2008, they had arrested hundreds of gang members and drastically decreased the violence.
"We took a serious look at that problem and attacked it and significantly drove it into the ground," said Daniels.
Daniels is now deputy chief and says their unit was so successful, that by 2012, they were no longer needed and the officers were re-assigned to other divisions. Daniels agreed with the move.
"I think it was the best decision with the resources and the information we had at the time, and what was going on in our community," he said.
But recently, department leaders noticed the trend starting again. There have been deadly shootings, a high-speed chase, and a fatal stabbing all connected to gangs, according to police.
"We're not happy we've seen this increase, but it's not a cause for panic, it's something we're addressing," said Daniels.
Daniels says all officers will soon be focusing more on battling gang and quality of life crimes.
Mayor Bob Henry says the city is supporting the effort. In fact, the City Council had already approved the hire of three additional officers, bringing the total number up to 116. Henry says they are stepping up patrols on the street in hopes of combating the issue.
"The message is loud and clear, we have become accustomed to this safe city, we are not going to go back to the late 90's," said Henry.
Henry, who took office in January 2014, said the city and the Police Department are on the same page when it comes to re-dedicating resources to fighting gang-related crimes.
"We are in lockstep that this is an issue that isn't going to get out of control," said Henry.
Daniels wanted to be clear that the violence now is nowhere near what it was a decade ago.
Sgt. Joe Ramirez told KTVB that a Nampa study showed 76 crimes classified as gang crimes in 2014. Only three of those were violent. He compares that to 2011 when Nampa saw 317 gang-related crimes, with eight classified as violent.
Daniels believes the recent surge is because the gang members they arrested years ago are now being released from jail.
He stands by the decision to end the unit years ago, and hopes focusing all officers on fighting violent and gang-related crimes will keep the city safe.
"I don't think it was a ball drop, I really don't, we've never stopped enforcing gang crime, we've always kept it an emphasis at Nampa Police Department," said Daniels.
Note: In a previous version of this story, KTVB reported that Nampa will be creating a new gang unit. The city of Nampa clarified that all 116 officers will be re-focusing on fighting gang and quality-of-life crimes, and says there will NOT be a unit of specific officers working on the issue.
