SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- Authorities in San Francisco arrested more than two dozen suspected gang members this week in an operation Police Chief Gascón described as a “surgical operation” meant to send a strong signal to repeat offenders.

“We’re not just simply going out and arresting anybody that is out there. We’re arresting people that are responsible for many crimes,” he said.

Listen  KCBS' George Harris reports

Twenty-eight suspects were arrested and six guns confiscated during the citywide gang crackdown on Wednesday. Gascón said the operation was the beginning of a long-term strategy targeting violent offenders most likely to commit more crimes.

“We’re going to continuously go after those people that are creating the hate and discontent and killing and hurting our community.”

Lt. Jim Miller said one of the alleged gang members picked up is 17 years old. He was taken into custody on a rival gangs turf in possession of a loaded gun.

“The only reason he was there is to go out and conduct some revenge because he was at the scene of a shooting of one of his fellow gang members.”

The FBI, the US Marshall Service, the California Department of Corrections and the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department were also involved in the sting.

Gascón briefed reporters about the arrested at the Bayview Station on Friday.