TPD Gang Unit beefing up patrols - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

TPD Gang Unit beefing up patrols

After a deadly spike in gang violence this week, Toledo Police continue to beef up patrols going into the weekend.

13 ABC went on a ride-a-long with the Gang Unit on Friday as the unit steps up efforts to anticipate and suppress any retaliation.

Sgt. Rick Moreno has 28 years with the TPD.  More than three of those are with the gang unit.

"We're like firemen running around trying to put out fires," says Sgt. Moreno.

A dozen officers make up the unit which gathers intelligence on about a dozen major gangs in Toledo trying to head off trouble before it happens.

"This city is out-of-control with the gangs," says Ethel Pryor who lives on Prospect, where police arrested half a dozen people today who were standing outside.  Police recovered drugs.

"The whole damn west side is Blood. The whole damn north side is Crip," says Pryor.

 "Right now we are busy," says Sgt. Moreno.

The gang unit is stepping up suppression efforts after nine people were shot this week.  Two victims were killed.

"With these shootings recently we've been tapping our other sources to determine whether there's going to be a retaliation, where it might be directed at, who might be the person trying to avenge the death of another party member," says Sgt. Moreno.

The unit patrolled known gang areas on Friday arresting about ten people mostly on outstanding warrants.

"The Walnut and Page area is pretty quiet now," says Sgt. Moreno into his walkie talkie.

Sgt. Moreno spent the bulk of his shift in the North End, known as Three Sector, keeping an eye out for gangs known as Moody Manor Boys and the Cherrywoods, which are identifiable by the color of their clothes or tattoos.

Near the Greenbelt Apartments officers arrested a man for a felony warrant.    

"He's one of the Brown brothers," says Sgt. Moreno.  "They're part of the Bloods up in this area."

Pryor isn't satisfied with the day's arrests because this week's murders are still unsolved.

"I want the right things done," says Pryor.  "I just don't want you to just arrest somebody some alcohol or felony-something ... Go get somebody that killed these people."

Moreno says this could be the beginning of a hot summer.

"It's a toss up," says Sgt. Moreno.  "I don't know if we're going to be as bad as last year or not.  It's not good signs in all these shootings, though."