Ten Extra FBI Agents to Help Fight San Diego Crime

The FBI is sending 10 additional agents to the San Diego area in a new emphasis on violent crime, the agency announced Thursday.

“The direction will be toward the gang problem in the areas where it is needed the most,” FBI spokesman Ron Orrantia said. “There has been a dramatic increase in violent crime, especially with homicides due to gangs.”

New relations between the United States and Eastern Europe have fostered a shifting of priorities, with less emphasis on communism and more on crime, Orrantia said.

The FBI plans to work closely with all local law enforcement agencies such as the Sheriff’s Department and the San Diego police.

“The FBI is basically stressing the cooperation of all law enforcement,” Orrantia said. “We are only being thrown into the effort.”

Jurisdiction will not pose a problem because many laws, such as those involving drugs and their organizations, overlap with local and state statutes, Orrantia said.

“The RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) statute is one that comes to mind where local and federal officials would both be able to work,” Orrantia said.

The new staff will be concentrated in areas with the most gang-related violent crime, although the FBI declined to name specific places.

San Diego set a record for homicides in 1991.

“We do have agents already coming in, but it will take time for all the agents to be put into effect,” Orrantia said.

Some of the agents will speak Spanish.

“Because of the large amount of Hispanic and Mexican gangs and the close proximity to the border, that is a consideration in their selection,” Orrantia said.

He also said the agents do not need extra training for their assignments.