King County Council members voted last week to re-establish a permanent gang suppression unit in the King County Sheriff's Office.

The original gang suppression unit was disbanded in 1996.

Council budget committee members also urged priority funding in the 2008 county budget for the gang suppression unit.

"Every community in King County has felt the impact of increasing gang violence, but for the White Center and North Highline neighborhoods, the reformation of the gang suppression unit has special meaning," said Councilman Dow Constantine, D-West Seattle.

Constantine was prime sponsor of the motion and is a member of the budget leadership team.

"If this unit can help reduce gang activity, help keep kids out of gangs, and help those trying to leave the gang life, then we will have honored the sacrifice made by Deputy Steve Cox."

Sheriff's Deputy Steve Cox was killed in the line of duty last December by a convicted gang member.

Cox's mother JoAn Cox and the White Center community where he worked collected several thousand signatures calling for reformation of the gang unit, which was eliminated by budget cuts.

Gang-related crime increased 165 percent in 2006 over the previous year, according to the sheriff's office. At least 85 recognized gangs operating within King County.

Currently, the sheriff's office is addressing the rising gang problem by shifting resources from other duties.

Members of the sheriff's SWAT team work with emphasis patrols in known areas of gang activity. Sheriff's deputies work with Seattle Police and agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to track gang activity.

"It's time to establish aggressive measures to counteract the rise in gang activity in our community," said Councilwoman Julia Patterson, D-SeaTac. "Re-establishing the gang suppression unit sends a message that gang activity is never tolerated in King County."

Council Chairman Larry Gossett declared, "We plan to move forward with the establishment of a gang suppression unit within the sheriff's office.

"I am pleased that in considering its funding we will not cut critical prevention, intervention and re-entry assistance programs."

"The senseless death of a community hero ... at the hands of an identified gang member" added urgency to reformation of the gang suppression unit, Councilwoman Kathy Lambert said.

Lambert, who chairs the council's Law, Justice and Human Services Committee, noted, "Prevention and suppression of gang-related crime will save money, prevent suffering, save lives, and make our community safer.

"We also want to send a strong message that King County is not a friendly place for gangs to operate, and we will not tolerate illegal gang activity."

Council members stressed that the death of Cox demonstrates the need for an intensified focus on gang activity in the county.

In addition to improving safety for county residents, the gang suppression unit will let sheriff's deputies need that adequate funding will be provided to keep them safe while fighting against gangs.

The increase in gang violence "is an issue that crosses jurisdictions and communities," Councilman Reagan Dunn observed.

"A unit that can work in partnership with law enforcement on all levels will be a strong weapon in the fight against this new surge in gang activity." __

Councilman Larry Phillips recalled that the county's gang suppression unit was effective in the past, and he expressed confidence that it will be again.

"Gangs in King County are on the rise, increasing violence in our communities and stealing the productive lives of the youths who get caught up in them," Phillips continued.

"I commend Sheriff Rahr for bringing this important need to the council's attention."__