Evelyn here,
with an important news release from Bill McCollum, Attorney General of the State of Florida.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
May 1, 2008
FLORIDA GANG MEMBERS TO FACE HARSHER PENALTIES
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Legislature today approved House Bill
(HB) 43, tough anti-gang legislation, championed by Attorney General Bill
McCollum and sponsored by Senator Jeff Atwater (R-Palm Beach Gardens) and
Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart).
"As Florida fights a growing gang problem, we must give our law
enforcement officers and state prosecutors the tools necessary to win that
battle," said Attorney General Bill McCollum. "This legislation provides
them with those essential tools, and I appreciate the commitment the
Legislature has demonstrated to keeping our neighborhoods and communities
safer from gangs and gang violence."
“I am pleased we have been able to move significant penalties to
deter gang violence and gang crime,” said Senator Jeff Atwater, who
sponsored similar legislation (CS/CS/SB 76) in the Florida Senate. “This
problem has been particularly acute in Broward & Palm Beach Counties. This
is a good step in getting this statewide problem under control.”
“With more than 1,000 gangs and an estimated 65,000 active members in
our State, our law enforcement leaders tell us they need this legislation
to effectively combat this growing threat,” said Representative Snyder.
“This bill will help police officers, Sheriffs, and prosecutors throughout
our state fight the scourge of gangs in our communities.”
“When Floridians are afraid to walk down the street or shop in a mall
for fear of getting shot in a crossfire between gang members, it’s time to
recognize that government’s number one priority is the protection of its
citizens,” Representative Snyder continued.
The legislation closely follows the recommendations of the 18th
Statewide Grand Jury Report Criminal Gangs and Gang Related Violence, which
was overseen by Statewide Prosecutor William Shepherd. “As a result of this
bill, gang members from around the country will find no safe harbor in
Florida; those who are here can choose to leave their criminal gang life or
end up in our prisons,” said William Shepherd.
A few of the main provisions of the bill include a gang kingpin
statute which makes it a first-degree felony punishable by life for
initiating, organizing, or financing criminal gang-related activity; adding
new offenses to the definition of RICO predicate incidents to reflect
common gang behavior such as fleeing to elude or accessory after the fact;
and prohibiting use of electronic communications to further the criminal
interests of a gang. An additional provision allows for civil injunctions
against convicted gang members who knowingly associate with other criminal
gang members or associates.
“Gang violence is a growing epidemic that threatens the safety of our
communities,” said Representative Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach). “This
legislation modernizes our laws and provides law enforcement and
prosecutors with the tools and resources to go after these domestic
terrorists.”
In addition to enhancing penalties for gang members and gang
activity, the legislation also provides for the creation of a Coordinating
Council on Gang Reduction Strategies to be chaired by the Attorney General.
The Council will be charged with working with local and state partners over
the next year to develop a statewide strategy to combat gangs.
The bill will next be sent to Governor Charlie Crist for his
signature. More information on the key provisions is available online at:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MRAY-7E8LFR/$file/KeyProvisionsforLegislation.pdf
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Evelyn out.
