Gang Injunction Fact Sheet

Oakland City Attorney – Oakland Police Dept.

Press Conference Thursday, February 18, 2010

On Thursday, Feb. 18, City Attorney John Russo and Police Chief
Anthony Batts announced a civil complaint seeking an injunction
against the North Side Oakland gang.
!

Important facts:

! A gang injunction is a civil court order that prohibits a gang and its members from conducting specific
activities within a geographically-defined area called a “Safety Zone.”

! Oakland filed a civil complaint against the North Side Oakland gang, which is known for drug sales
and numerous acts of violence in North Oakland.

! The complaint is based on evidence that North Side Oakland is a gang as defined by the Street
Terrorism Enforcement & Prevention Act, and that its members deserve to be restrained from causing
further harm to the community.

! If granted by a judge, an injunction will declare the gang a public nuisance and prohibit certain
activities within the Safety Zone, which includes about 100 blocks between I-580, Emeryville,
Berkeley and Telegraph Avenue.

! Restrictions include:

! Do not associate with other gang members in public.

! Do no confront, intimidate or assault witnesses.

! Do not possess firearms or dangerous weapons.

! Do not possess graffiti/vandalism tools.

! Stay away from drugs.

! No trespassing.

! No gang recruitment.

! Obey all laws and time restrictions.

! Gang injunctions typically include activities that are themselves violations of the law.

! A violation of the injunction is considered contempt of court – a criminal misdemeanor punishable by

up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

! Injunctions were upheld as constitutional by the CA Supreme Court in the 1997 Acuna case.

! Oakland’s petition is based on evidence and due process – anyone on the list who is no longer
associated with the gang can file a petition with the court to be removed from the injunction.

For more information, please go to www.oaklandcityattorney.org