SYRACUSE -- The gang-related shooting death of 20-month-old Rashad Walker, Jr. has renewed interest in the Gang Task Force in Syracuse.
Syracuse Police Sergeant Tom Connellan is not only the spokesperson for the Syracuse Police Department, he is also the supervisor for the Gang Task Force. Formed in 2003, the task force combines the efforts of the Syracuse Police, State Police, Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, Onondaga County District Attorney, U.S. Marshal's Service and the U.S. Attorney's Office. It sees gang related violence not only as street crime but also as a form of racketeering under the federal RICO statute. "What these kids are doing is they're controlling certain areas of the city through violence, through intimidation, through the drug trade." Connellan explained.
Connellan points to the track record of the task force:
In 2003 they busted the notorious Boot Camp Gang with 26 arrests.
In 2004 and 2005, 30 members of the Elk Block Gang were taken off the streets along with 72 guns.
In 2006 they broke up the Brighton Brigade with 14 arrests.
In 2008 a dozen members of the 110 Gang were arrested along with 11 people associated with the Eastside gang.
In the last two years, Connellan says the task force made another two dozen gang related arrests.
Nevertheless, the battle against gangs appears to be never-ending.
Connellan says, "we have a wold generation of lost souls right now and gang life is what fills in for their lack of family live... we can take out a whole group of gang members, there's going to be a whole group of kids ready to fill their spots."
