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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- In what has been called a first for Utah, prosecutors have filed an injunction declaring one of Ogden's largest street gangs a public nuisance.
The injunction bans the 485-plus members of Ogden Trece from associating with each other, possessing guns and being in the vicinity of illegal drugs. It also sets an 11 p.m. curfew.
Agencies across the state are going to be watching us to see how this works. It's time we try to think outside the box and develop new tools.
–Lt. Scott Conley
Weber County Attorney Dee Smith said the injunction would give law enforcement the ability to keep the gang members from congregating and intimidating residents.
"This has not been done in Utah, declaring a street gang a public nuisance in formal court documents ... They've been running amok for too long," Smith said.
The injunction was filed Aug. 20 in 2nd District Court. At a court hearing Tuesday, prosecutors will seek to make permanent a preliminary approval of the injunction so far granted as a temporary restraining order.
Utah ACLU Legal Director Darcy Goddard said her group has not been asked to intervene so far.
"We are aware of the matter, but nobody has requested comment or action by the ACLU of Utah," Goddard said.
Smith said he has been contacted by two attorneys representing Treces members concerned about the injunction. One was local defense lawyer Mike Boyle and the other asked Smith to keep his name confidential.
Calls to Boyle were not immediately returned.
California prosecutors and a federal prosecutor from Washington, D.C., advised local authorities on the injunction.
"Agencies across the state are going to be watching us to see how this works," said police Lt. Scott Conley. "It's time we try to think outside the box and develop new tools."
Smith said his office also plans to issue injunctions against a half-dozen other major gangs in Ogden.
"Eventually, we'll have every gang in Ogden enjoined," he said.
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(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
