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Presentation On Gangs Alarming

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - As the crowd watched the video, people gasped and exclaimed incredulously.

'Oh, my god,' several said. 'What?' they called out as they turned to look at one another.

Their reactions were inspired by a video portraying a teenage boy removing numerous firearms and weapons from underneath his clothing. The boy wandered into a school and sat next to the principal, carrying the weapons, as part of a police demonstration. No one knew he had them until he revealed them.

The footage was part of a gang-awareness class held during a Twelve Oaks Civic Association meeting Tuesday night at the Morgan Woods Recreation Center. More than 30 people attended.

'People aren't aware of what's actually happening in their community,' said Hillsborough County sheriff's Detective Marc Wilder.

Wilder gave the presentation along with fellow Detective Jim Tiller. Both are part of the sheriff's office gang enforcement section.

They informed the crowd about gangs in the area and how they can affect a neighborhood.

The detectives also flashed images of gang members and where they live in Florida. Today there are 87 active gangs in Hillsborough County, Wilder said.

'Don't think this isn't part of Town 'N Country,' he said. 'This is a large part of Town 'N Country, unfortunately. This is the side of Florida that most people don't see.' Wilder and Tiller warned the crowd that gang members can range from 8 years old up to senior citizens.

'The younger ones learn from somebody,' Wilder said.

Mage Ebanks, 56, a Town 'N Country resident for the past six years, attended the meeting without knowing gangs would be the main topic. She left with open eyes and an earful.

'I learned a lot,' she said. 'I didn't even know all this was going on in our neighborhood. I need to be aware for my grandchildren. It's tough to hear this.'

Larry Holmes, 60, who has lived in Town 'N Country for 14 years, was equally amazed.

'I want to get more information about what's going on,' he said. 'Just looking around, I never noticed there were that many gangs that close to me. I was really surprised.'

Holmes, who works for a charter bus company and deals with schools on a regular basis, plans on asking the detectives to do their presentation for his fellow bus drivers. He said they should also be aware of what is happening.

'It's happening; it's here,' Wilder said. 'If you feel you have these individuals in your neighborhood, give us a call.'

GANG SUSPICIONS

To report suspicious behavior, contact the Tampa Bay Area Gang Tip Line at 1-877-426-4688.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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