Advice for parents

Gangs can be enticing to some teens because they provide a type of brotherhood they may not otherwise have, said Marysville Police Sgt. Nelson Magana. Others join to commit crimes and intimidate the community for self-proclamation, and others are jumped in. Regardless of how a person joined, the goals remain the same: sales of narcotics and committing violent crimes, said Lt. Jim Runyen.

As parents, it’s important to monitor their kids: who they are hanging out with, and any behavioral changes, police say. Magana said to look for any school notebook scribbles that may contain specific numbers (like 13 or 14), colors, or other gang-like tagging.

“Parents should always educate their kids about the dangers of gangs and do their best to keep them involved in extracurricular activities,” Runyen said.

Perhaps most important, police say, is to keep tabs on teens’ social media accounts as well.

“A lot of what they do is on their phones,” said Yuba County Sheriff’s Det. Fernando Machuca.

For any gang-related questions, call Machuca at 749-7777, or your local law enforcement agency.

and colors. And while some platforms can create difficulties, others can actually aid in investigations. Last spring, a Sacramento rapper was arrested after victims of a Marysville marijuana robbery identified him by his rap videos posted on Facebook and Youtube.

“Some social media accounts have (led) to the arrest of gang members posing with firearms who are convicted felons and not allowed to possess firearms,” Magana said.

While violent crime in Yuba City has declined in recent years, recruitment continues to be an issue, with young adults being targeted.

“Law enforcement continues to try and educate area youth to avoid this lifestyle with programs such as G.R.E.A.T. (gang resistance education and training),” Lt. Jim Runyen wrote in an email Thursday. “Gangs are always going to be a concern for law enforcement and we will always work to educate the youth and steer them away from that lifestyle.”

In Marysville, gang activity

has also subsided in recent years, Magana said.

“I notice gang activity has dropped tremendously,” he said. “Law enforcement has a pulse on gang activity and that’s why we don’t see as much as we did 10 years ago.”

But it’s a different story outside the city limits: in places like Olivehurst and Linda, Yuba County, sheriff’s deputies have numerous gang-related shootings to investigate.

“We’ve had quite a bit of shooting this year,” Machuca said.

While there are Asian gangs like Hmong Nation Society and black gangs like Bloods and Crips in Yuba-sutter, Machuca said Latino rival gangs Nortenos and Surenos are causing the most trouble in Yuba County.

But Machuca said gang members usually stick to rival gang members in committing crimes.

“Does it put some fear into the community? Obviously, it does, but I wouldn’t say the community is going to be in danger,” he said.

The River Valley High School production of “Footloose” will be at 2 p.m. in the multipurpose room, 801 El Margarita Road, Yuba City. Admission is $8-12.

The Acting Company production of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” will be at 2 p.m. at The Acting Company, 815 B St., Yuba City. For more information, visit www/ actingcompany.org or call 751-1100.

Yuba Sutter Master Chorale will present its annual spring concert at 4 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1000 D St., Marysville. General admission cost is $10. For children 12 and under, the admission cost is $5. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, visit www. ysmasterchorale.org.

The Third Sunday – JAZZ JAM is for musicians looking for a place to jam with other like-minded players are invited to participate in this free program that’s open to all instruments (except bagpipes). Participants need to read notes and know major scales. The event will be at 2 p.m. at Lee Burrows Theatre, 630 E St., Marysville. For more information, call 742-2787 or visit www.yubasutterarts.org.

will meet at noon at Hub Alano Club, 518 12th St., Marysville. For more information, visit www.gamblersanonymous.org, email timseahawks@gmail.com or call 401-2351. For immediate help, call 855-222-5542.