Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Orlando Sentinel:

There is no denying that Florida has a gang problem. In Central Florida, we believe there are more than 70 gangs with members and associates whose numbers greatly exceed 1,300. These dangerous street gangs, like SUR-13 in South Florida, have members accused of numerous crimes, including murder, armed robberies, retaliatory arson and aggravated battery.

Another example of Florida’s gang problem is the Brown Pride Locos, a Southwest Florida gang believed to be responsible for the death of a 9-year-old who was killed by the crossfire of rival gangs while riding his bicycle on a neighborhood street.

Cases just like this are the type now being investigated by the statewide grand jury on gangs and prosecuted by my Office of Statewide Prosecution and state attorneys, with Florida’s sheriffs and police doing their part to help. But these prosecutors and law enforcement need better, tougher laws to assist them.

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