May 3--MANATEE -- Leave gangs or enter prison.

That's the message lawmakers sent gang members after the Legislature this week unanimously passed a bill aimed at getting tougher on gangs.

And local and state law enforcement leaders laud legislators for passing a bill that they hope clears streets of chaos and catastrophe.

"We welcome any new measures that will help police and prosecutors combat the dangers of criminal gang activity," said Ed Brodsky, chief assistant state attorney with the 12th Judicial Circuit.

The bill, which Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to sign into law, beefs up witness protection in gang cases and prevents known gang members from being released from jail before their first court appearances. That's to give prosecutors time to argue for higher bonds.

It also would make it a felony -- punishable by life in prison -- for a convicted felon who is a gang member to be in possession of a gun, among other provisions.

The measure, co-sponsored by Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, would make it a felony to recruit for gangs or for a convicted felon to own a bulletproof vest. It also creates a condition of probation prohibiting known gang members from associating with gangs.

Florida has more than 1,000 gangs with an estimated 65,000 active members, according to the bill's sponsor, Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart.

In Manatee County alone, there are 14 known gangs with an estimated 600 to 800 members.

"I'm all for any anti-gang legislation that will help me, other law enforcement departments, the state attorney, the statewide prosecutor and the federal prosecutor," said Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube. "We need every tool that can be provided to us for this fight."

That's what the bill intends to do, Snyder said.

"When Floridians are afraid to walk down the street or shop in a mall for fear of getting shot in a crossfire between gang members, it's time to recognize that government's No. 1 priority is the protection of its citizens," Snyder said.

Manatee County started a gang unit several years ago to gather intelligence to see what was going on around town. Then, two years ago, officers started seeing four or five driveby shootings each week.

"I don't think we were all really looking at any gang legislation here until the activity in our community started to increase," Steube said. "Of course we made a few arrests, but by the time we got to prosecute the gang members a few months later, the victims recanted and the state attorney's office would be forced to to drop the case."

Last year, 9-year-old Stacy Williams III was shot to death after as he rode his bicycle on Fifth Street East near the Manatee Woods apartment complex. Authorities say he was an innocent bystander to a gang-related fight.

Steube's office and the Florida attorney general's office began battling gangs by bringing racketeering charges against members. They filed against 23 reputed members of local street gangs.

Many have already taken plea deals. One gang member, Eric Santiago of the East Side Crips, went to trial and was convicted of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

According to Galvano's office, this week's legislation closely follows the recommendations a statewide grand jury that has been studying the gang problem in the state.

"As a result of this bill, gang members from around the country will find no safe harbor in Florida; those who are here can choose to leave their criminal gang life or end up in our prisons," said statewide prosecutor William Shepherd, who oversaw the grand jury's report.

As law enforcement leaders fight the state's growing gang problem, they need the instruments necessary to win the battle, said state Attorney General Bill McCollum.

"This legislation provides them with those essential tools, and I appreciate the commitment the Legislature has demonstrated to keeping our neighborhoods and communities safer from gangs and gang violence," McCollum said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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