Holly on the Trail
Holly with Eric Robinson and Stephen Boone.
Campaign Update: March 15, 2010
They prowl the streets, sporting their trademark insignia; they spray paint four letter words on public buildings. They are armed and they are dangerous. Gangs recruit kids who are adrift and vulnerable and hungry for a sense of belonging. They enforce violent initiation rites—often at the expense of innocent bystanders. And, we are all victims.
Last week, when I was in Bradenton, Steve told me that his family won’t travel in many parts of his community. Later in Orlando, Dan pointed out streets from his office window that are now gang strongholds. From Pensacola to Miami, gangs are terrorizing communities and they are robbing us of our freedom.
In 2009, the Attorney General’s Office worked in partnership with law enforcement across the state and identified 1,100 gangs and nearly 49,000 gang members, associates and gang-related individuals that exist among our Florida residents.
In 2008, General McCollum launched a gang reduction strategy that created a Coordinating Council, as well as seven regional gang reduction task forces. Communities across the state worked to develop region-specific solutions to their gang problems.
In order to fight back against gangs, the Council has:
Championed tougher penalties for gang members
Pushed for gang training for law enforcement
Built partnerships with local law enforcement and done sweeps in several cities
These efforts have had a deterrent effect on gangs in those areas.
Now the Council is turning its focus to prevention. They are working on programs for at-risk youth and incarcerated gang members. They are developing strategies that will limit the pool of recruits and will stop the growth of gangs. But, there is so much more work to be done.
As Attorney General, my mission will be to get government back to the basics—which means safeguarding our families, our streets and our savings. I will adopt a zero tolerance policy for gangs and gang-related activity. I will use my legislative skills to promote tough laws—laws with real teeth—to put an end to the rule of gangs in our city streets. I’ll give local law enforcement the tools they need to combat gang activity, and I will use the powers of the Statewide Prosecutor to make sure we stop these thugs and take back our streets.
Sincerely,
Holly
