STOCKTON, CA - About eight months after first announcing the city's Marshall Plan to fight crime, Mayor Ann Johnston is releasing some details of what that plan involves.
The first visible step will be five federal marshals joining Stockton police on the street as soon as next week. The extra bodies will allow police to specifically seek the city's worst offenders.
"They are going to be taking out the worst criminals first. They identify the top 10 bad boys or girls in the city, start with them and go after them," Johnston said. "As they're removed from the city, they keep working down the list and adding to the list."
Another element involves combining Stockton and San Joaquin County gang officers into one coordinated unit.
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The city will also spend $150,000 on a consultant who will help coordinate and organize all the various local agencies that deal with crime.
"You need someone to bring it all together and facilitate discussions, who doesn't have skin in the game so to speak; someone who can bring these people to the table and help forge the path," Johnston said.
The $150,000 for a consultant is already approved and part of the current budget.
The rest of the Stockton Marshall Plan will be unveiled Jan. 31, at a city council meeting.
By Tim Daly, tdaly@news10.net
News10/KXTV