EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Evansville Police say they're seeing another rise in gang activity across the city.
The department doesn't want a repeat of last summer's violence so they say they're being pro-active and tackling the issue head-on.
The police department's new gang task force is already investigating a rise in summer gang activity.
"Within the last two weeks, I know we've had several people that have been shot and also had several homes within the past week and a half, at least four or five homes, that have been shot up by gang members," said an undercover detective.
This undercover detective, who we're keeping undercover, says 20 illegal firearms have already been taken off the streets this year and out of the hands of known gang members.
"A lot of big time gangs try to come in and set up shop," the detective said.
But this summer, police hope a pro-active approach will prevent a repeat of last summer's gang shootings. Members of the new gang task force say they're using confidential informants to gather intelligence not just on the gangs themselves, but on each individual member. They're hoping to keep track of these individuals through social media.
The task force will also soon roll out "The Guardian", an armored truck equipped with surveillance cameras. And members of the force will continue speaking to the public, like at Tuesday's Citizens Academy, to warn parents that these gangs start recruiting members at a young age.
"If you sit back and wait and you let these gangs get a strong foothold in your neighborhoods, it's a lot harder to get rid of them. If we can influence these youngsters early to keep them from joining the gang, that's even better," said Sgt. Jason Cullum with Evansville Police.
And if you would like to know more about how the department is tackling crime issues, there's another Citizens Academy next Tuesday night at McGary Middle School.
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