http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_317174630.html

Nov 13, 2005 11:00 pm US/Eastern

Balt. Co. Creates Task Force To Crush Gangs

Gigi Barnett
Reporting

(WJZ) Baltimore, MD Police Departments nationwide have been spending increasingly more money to target rising gang activity, and Baltimore County is no exception.

The FBI says Mara Salvatrucha gang-activity, or MS-13 for short, which started in Central America has now spread its influence to 33 states and the nations capitol.

Baltimore City and County officials have decided to be proactive in tackling the growing problem.

Before MS-13 or any other gang reaches Baltimore's borders, police are going to form a special task force in an effort to crush gang alliances while hindering prospective recruits from joining.

"Keep an eye on what they're doing and the minute there's any illegal activity...move in, arrest them and prosecute them..we're hoping this kind of early pressure will keep things from getting out of hand, " said Bill Toohey, of Baltimore County Police, to WJZ's Gigi Barnett.

Around $93,000 has been allocated towards the task force, with an additional $207,000 coming from Captiol Hill.

Lawmakers in the Senate and Congress are cognizant of gang problems seeping into or ameliorating in their respective districts, and they want to do something about it.

Last week, Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski joined lawmakers from both sides of the aisles to reach the goal of increasing the gang task-force budget.

Now at least two million dollars will be used to catch and prosecute gang members, especially those from MS-13..

"This is an international problem, with tremendous regional impact. Gangs know no borders. Either internationally or in our own region that's why we need an capitol region effort," said Senator Mikulski.

Baltimore officials define gangs as a group of "three or more people who form an alliance of crime."

They estimate that at least 30 gangs are strewn throughout the city.

With these numbers in mind, the task force has their work cut out for them.