Ephrata joins gang task force

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Police Department is joining the Columbia Basin Gang Task Force.

The city council approved the request to join the multiple agency task force during a recent meeting.

The agencies joining the group would contribute one officer a month to focus on gangs in the county.

Quincy Police Chief Richard Ackerman explained during a Quincy City Council meeting, the group will focus on county events where gang members cause problems, pointing out the Grant County Fair.

Since gangs are mobile, the task force will allow the agencies to focus on places gangs are creating trouble, Ackerman said. The task force allows the agencies to gain information about the gangs.

Ephrata City Administrator Wes Crago said the agreement is still being reviewed, and there are some changes the city would like to see.

"None of those changes are what I would term as substantial," he said. "I feel comfortable getting authorization to pass it once it goes through final legal review."

If the changes go further than the city attorney's recommendations, Crago said he'd bring the agreement back to the council for approval.