Oxnard, known as “Snard” to most in Ventura county, is a cesspool of mexican gangs. Good chance the cops knew they were following gang-bangers.
And especially on that side of the tracks. There are a lot of newer home developments and strip malls around Pacifica High, but that side of town is more known for the Hispanics, and gangs. “Back in the day”, that particular area was all agricultural land; and further to the west was “the barrio”, or what we called La Colonia. You did not want to be on that side of town at night.