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Police Describe Gang Problems In West Pasco

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: October 1, 2008

PORT RICHEY - Street gangs are doing their best to instill fear in area residents, New Port Richey Police Chief Martin Rickus said during an appearance last week before the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Lt. Jeffrey Harrington, Sgt. Steve Kostas and Det. Christopher Trapnell of the Police Department joined Rickus during the appearance before the business leaders.

A local unit of the Valentine Bloods is the largest street gang by far in the area, Trapnell remarked. The Bloods is a gang that traces its origin back to Los Angeles of the 1960s. Its traditional rival is the gang known as the Crips.

The local Valentine Bloods have an estimated 150-plus members, while most other area gangs usually count 15 to 30 among their ranks, according to Trapnell.

"They are a huge impact on our community," he said of gangs. So authorities try to keep them on as tight a leash as possible.

The gangs usually carve out a sphere of influence. The Lazy Boyz, for example, hang out mostly around Hudson and Port Richey. Other gangs set up shop in Holiday or Tarpon Springs.

The Pasco chapter of the Latin Kings gang developed a reputation around the state as the "enforcers," Trapnell reported.

"They not only prey on us, they prey on each other," the detective said, referring to a recent murder.

Authorities believe the death was an act of retaliation after the clubhouse of a motorcycle gang burned down.

Some gangs are set up like business organizations with a president, vice president and chairmen of committees, police pointed out.

Five motorcycle gangs with intimidating names such as Outlaws, Black Pistons and Iron Coffins have also set up shop in the area.

Graffiti often is a preferred form of communications, and police try to respond quickly to it. Graffiti that is removed within 24 hours isn't replaced about 90 percent of the time, law enforcement officials say.

Authorities are battling back against gangs with a multiagency task force of several counties. Various law enforcement agencies regularly share gang-related information. Most departments assign investigators to specialize on the gang problem. Education of the public is another goal.

People can take some simple steps to protect themselves, police said. They can be aware of surroundings and simply head the opposite direction if they spot a shady-looking character.

Residents should report graffiti to police immediately and then remove the symbols as quickly as possible to discourage gangs from coming back to that spot again.

Police also ask residents to report any suspicious activity or any apparent gang activity.

Trapnell is the contact at the New Port Richey Police. He can be reached at 727-816-1130, ext. 134.

Responding to questions from the Chamber of Commerce audience, police said gang members hang out late at night at about any business, not just abandoned buildings such as the former Service Merchandise store, on U.S. 19, north of Port Richey.

Most gang members range in age from early teens to 20s. One recent murder victim, however, was 31. He had been a gang member nearly all his life.

Gangs recruit most of their members inside jails and at schools. Laws penalize gang recruitment at schools, but it can be hard to prove.

Rapper influences and violent video games can help condition possible recruits for gangs, Trapnell believes. "Those things can sway your thinking" as a youth, he thinks.

Gangs usually get handguns from burglaries or through a fence.

Police also work with customs officials to deport illegal immigrants among gangs.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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