Santa Ana police make new push against gang violence

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Facing a spike in violence, Santa Ana police are making a new push to curb gang activity.

Officers say the city has has nine homicides this year - seven of them gang-related - in addition to some 200 assaults with a deadly weapon.

They say gang crimes are often the hardest to investigate because witnesses are afraid to come forward.

Officers are spending more time in gang neighborhoods, checking on gang members and offering new financial rewards for information about gang crimes.

An anonymous donor recently gave the city $1 million to be divided up as rewards for people who provide information.

Police asked anyone with information on gang crimes to call Santa Ana PD at (714)245-8648.