He was honest in acknowledging that San Jose is dealing with a rash of gang problems, but he was also optimistic that the police had the skills and experience to handle the situation.

At a March 9 meeting organized by District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager, 55 residents came out to listen to the police chief talk about safety. It was an opportunity for residents to meet the top cop in their own neighborhood and discuss gang prevention.

The good news is that gang crimes have gone down 12 percent compared to this time last year, but the bad news is that the level of violence has gone up, Davis said.

"It's a priority," he said. "We're not willing to give up on our kids."

To increase the police department's effectiveness, Davis said, he will be implementing weekly community policing meetings at which captains will address their officers about areas of success and places to improve service as well as what to look for in each neighborhood.

Officer Sal Lopez, a detective with the San Jose Police Department Gang Investigation Unit, said that most of the local trouble is caused by two Sureño gangs—first-generation Hispanic immigrants who identify with the color blue—and two Norteño gangs—second- and sixth-generation Hispanics who identify with the color red—that live in areas on Willow Glen's northern border and are rivals.

Davis said Willow Glen residents live in one of the safest areas of San Jose, and he added that he still feels very comfortable walking down the streets of Willow Glen. But Lopez said that because of the San Jose Unified School District's busing requirements, non-neighborhood children, some of whom are affiliated with gangs, do attend Willow Glen schools.

Officer Lopez added that 90 percent of gang violence is targeted at rival gang members, not at passing citizens, and noted that the homicide at Pine and Cottle avenues on Jan. 27 was a "crime of opportunity."

After listening to Lopez's comments, a resident who lives on Newport Avenue near the bus stop where the homicide occurred said that the bus stop's distance from Willow Glen High School was allowing gang activity to take place in front of his home.

Davis said he would report that information to the mayor's gang prevention task force, increase patrol officer visibility in the area and talk to the schools.

Another resident who lives near Wilcox Park said she's called 911 three times when she's seen gang fights at the park, and the police have never come.

Davis promised he would take action on addressing emergency dispatch service and try to increase patrols around the park.

Davis, who worked in the gang investigation unit from 1994­97, said that gang activity tends to go in cycles, as each generation comes of age.

Davis said the city needs to put greater focus on its gang prevention and suppression, while the city's gang intervention program is addressing the problems despite budget cuts.

"It doesn't always take money," he said, adding that nonprofit organizations have volunteered their efforts to work with gang members and their families. He added that a "gang summit" is being organized next month for parents of gang members.

Prior to the March 4 community meeting, the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association had invited the San Jose Police Department Gang Investigation Unit to its Feb. 24 meeting.

North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association President Tom Smith asked the San Jose detectives involved with gang investigations to come and speak. Smith said that the gang shooting at the East San Jose Jack in the Box on Jan. 3 and the fatal stabbing in Willow Glen on Jan. 27 had raised concerns about possible gang activity in Willow Glen neighborhoods.

Lopez said San Jose has 2,818 registered gang members. These numbers reflect individuals who police have documented as being involved in gang-related crimes.

At the North Willow Glen meeting, San Jose police detective Jose Rodriguez said residents should watch for youths with "an overfascination with and exaggeration" of red or blue clothing like same-color shirt, belt, shoes, shoelaces, hat and bandanna.

Detective Lopez also said the best thing to do if a gang altercation takes place is to protect yourself, dial 911 or 408.277.8911 from a cell phone and try to be a witness if possible. He said to observe weapons, colors, words, direction of travel and vehicle license plates.

To report a gang-related crime, call 408.277.3835.