The assembled law enforcement officials recognized an increase in their response to incidents of gun related violence, often connected with illegal drug sales, gang activity, and individuals resorting to shootings as a response to disputes. Sheriff Ivey said that there will be a multi-prong approach combining community outreach to improve relationships and reporting, identifying and arresting offenders and those recruiting others to violence, drugs and gangs, and finally aggressively prosecute offenders for their crimes.

 

State Attorney Phil Archer said that he will be assigning experienced prosecutors to assist the task force and that continued gun violence has prompted greater attention from law enforcement and his office. He added that considering violent crime defendants for both state and federal prosecution, along with prosecuting qualifying teenagers as adults are some of the tools that will be used to address the gun violence.