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Gang Awareness in Bay County
02/04/10 - 04:40 PM
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A violent video highlights the problem with the presence of gangs in Bay County. In it, Mowat middle-schoolers claim to part of the “Gangster Disciples” and are the target age for criminal activity.

“If you get them hooked in schools, as they grow they are going to grow into that gang,” said Bay County Gang Task Force Coordinator, Sgt. Myron Guilford

Before long kids may leave school and hit the street corner. Then it turns to burglaries, drug deals and home invasions which are all crimes associated with area gangs.

It’s clearly a problem. At one point, the Sheriff’s Office arrested 369 people in 9 months for this activity.

“Of that 57% of those were repeat offenders. That’s a lot,” said Bay County Sheriff’s Office’s, Captain Joel Heape.

When it comes to gangs, there are specific things to look for. From graffiti, to clothes, to colors, you’ll be able to notice the signs. As far as location, it can happen anywhere, and the Sheriff’s Office says, it does.

“What a lot of people fail to realize is that gang violence can happen anywhere and it can happen at any time,” said Sgt. Guilford.

The fight to fix the problem is underway.

“We have seen gang activity in our area, we’re not going to run from it, we’re not going to hide from it, we’re going to address it head on,” said Bay County Sheriff’s Office’s, Major Tommy Ford.

“You breaking the law, Sheriff McKeithen’s going to put you in jail. It’s that simple,” said Captain Heape.

To prevent kids from gang activity, the Sherriff’s office takes a proactive stance. From programs, like junior deputies, to getaways like wilderness camp there are after school alternatives.

While gang activity is problem, the plan is to keep it suppressed so it never reaches the strength of bigger cities.

The eight kids arrested at Mowat Middle School were expelled from school yesterday. If you want to report gang related activity you can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 747-4700.