Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
in the news release below Attorney General, bill McCollum relates news development within the newly expanding CyberCrime agency and the more tangible the more "on the street" treat to communities in florid, gang violence.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
Newsletter
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July 6, 2007
Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum
During my first six months as Florida’s Attorney General, I have become
more aware of many serious issues facing our state and citizens. Coming
into office, I knew cybercrime and internet child predators were a
significant threat to the safety of our children and families and vowed
to do everything possible to increase our protection from individuals
who prey on Florida’s children.However, since the very first day I took
office, I have been receiving more and more information on another very
treacherous threat - the danger of organized gangs regularly engaging in
criminal activities throughout our state.
Just today, thanks to the joint efforts of several law enforcement
agencies, officials in Manatee County announced the arrests of 11
members of Sur-13, a dangerous gang with roots in California and
Mexico. Among those in custody is an individual charged with themurder of 9-year-old Stacy Williams III. The Manatee County boy was
tragically gunned down in May when he was caught in gang members’
crossfire while riding his bike.
Gangs are a statewide problem. Experts tell us more than 1,000 gangs
with an estimated 65,000 members are active in our state. These gangs
are highly organized national and international criminal operations
that recruit new members on a daily basis. Gang members regularly
commit violent crimes throughout Florida, crimes which include drug
trafficking, forcing victims into prostitution and indentured servitude,
human trafficking and murder.
Today’s arrests demonstrate that fighting the gang violence and gang
activity spreading across Florida requires sustained coordinated efforts
by our law enforcement agencies. I also believe one of the most
effective ways to break up gangs and keep members behind bars is to
prosecute them under organized crime statutes. For example, my Office
of Statewide Prosecution is currently prosecuting members of the Manatee
County-based Brown Pride Locos under the criminal racketeering statute,
alleging that the gang members are engaged in organized criminal activity.
Charging under these laws not only enables prosecutors to seek stronger
sentences against gang members who are spreading crime and terror in our
neighborhoods and communities, it also hampers the operations that
generate the money gangs need to survive.
I commend Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube for his commitment to
fighting the gang violence in his county and I pledge the resources of
my Office of Statewide Prosecution to assist State Attorney Earl
Moreland in prosecuting those arrested today. I also thank the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies who made the arrests
and who devote themselves to fighting this threat.
To effectively combat gang violence, Florida needs a comprehensive,
coordinated strategy, and I am hopeful the new statewide grand jury
will be instrumental in developing that strategy. We owe it to the
countless victims who have already lost their lives and those still
living, but living in daily fear from these violent criminals. We owe
it to Stacy Williams.
Thank you.
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Evelyn out.
