Largo Police Receive State Gang Investigators' Award

Since 1993 the Florida Gang Investigator's Association (FGIA) has helped law enforcement agencies exchange gang intelligence and information to assist with the prosecution of gangs.

Each year the FGIA selects one agency for their dedication to the detection and prevention of gang activity. The Largo Police Department's Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit was selected as the 2012 award recipient. The Largo City Commission recognized the officers at its Aug. 22 meeting.

"Since early 2010, the City of Largo has been greatly impacted by an influx of violent criminal street gangs," wrote Police Chief John Carroll in a city report.

The POP unit has "consistently focused on the enforcement of gang related statutes resulting in the arrest of 86 gang members and associates for over 97 felony and 66 misdemeanor charges. In addition to these arrests, seven handguns, 1,275 grams of marijuana, 110 grams of cocaine and countless vehicles used in the commission of felonies have been seized," Carroll wrote.

The POP unit includes: Sgt. Michael Bruno and Officers Michael Blickensdorf, Nicholas, Cusumano, Jeffrey Losinski, and Lance Wagoner.