9/9-9/15 News Roundup

The "Walk About Yakima" program in Washington recently engaged in discussions with officials from the Tri-Cities region to address youth violence and gang prevention. The program seeks to collaborate and strategize with local authorities on effective measures to curb these issues. Apple Valley News Now

$1.2 million violence prevention grant applications are now open in Sacramento. These grants are part of an initiative aimed at reducing violence in the city. Local organizations and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding to support programs and initiatives that address and prevent violence, particularly in underserved communities. Fox 40

The body of an Ecuadorian gang leader gone missing from its burial place in a Colombian cemetery. Junior Roldán, the number two in the notorious Los Choneros gang, had been found shot dead in Colombia's Antioquia province in May. He had fled to Colombia after surviving previous attempts on his life in Ecuador. The exact motive behind the disappearance of his remains is unclear, but Roldán had numerous enemies due to his involvement in drug trafficking and extortion as a member of Los Choneros, which had strong ties to the Sinaloa cartel. BBC News

Politician apologizes for helping gang member. San Francisco politician Hillary Ronen has issued an apology for writing a letter in support of a murderer. Ronen expressed regret for providing a character reference letter for a man convicted of murder without thoroughly researching his background. The apology comes after it was revealed that the man had a violent criminal history and affiliations with a gang. Ronen has acknowledged her mistake and emphasized the need for a more careful vetting process when writing such letters of support in the future. Daily Mail

El Chapo’s wife released from prison. Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of notorious drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, has been released from prison after serving less than two years of her sentence. She was arrested in February 2021 on charges of aiding her husband's drug trafficking organization and plotting his escape from prison. Aispuro's early release has raised questions about the reasons behind her shortened sentence and her potential involvement in ongoing criminal activities related to the Sinaloa cartel. New York Post

Captive in Myanmar released. A former Chinese researcher, Zhang Shi, who fell victim to telecom fraud gangs in Myanmar over a year ago, has returned to China. Zhang accepted a high-paying job offer in Singapore to resolve debts and marry his girlfriend but was deceived into working in Myanmar. After enduring captivity and abuse, he managed to escape, shedding light on the dangers of fraudulent job opportunities. China Daily

New deal with Europe aims to stop small boat gangs. Sir Keir Starmer is pursuing a Europol deal to combat human trafficking across the English Channel. The government fears this could mean admitting "100,000 illegal migrants" annually. Starmer rejects this and focuses on sharing intel to prevent smuggling. He also vows to end housing asylum seekers in hotels within a year and proposes measures to expedite asylum cases. Starmer hopes for a Europol agreement including a replacement for the EU's intelligence-sharing system. However, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick criticizes Labour's approach, advocating for a stronger deterrent. BBC

Police in Humberside, England have initiated a vigorous crackdown to address crime and anti-social behavior in the region, aiming to make communities safer. The operation involves increased police presence, targeted patrols, and community engagement to identify and address criminal activity. Hull Daily Mail