If you take a ride into Tampa's seedier sections of town you might notice an ominous billboard or bus ad with an intense font reading TampaBayGangs.com on it. When you visit the site you are welcomed by former Buccaneer running back and Tampa native Warrick Dunn. The site is a recent anti-gang effort put forth by the Tampa Police Department.
In an article from TBO.com, Police Chief Steve Hogue estimates that there is 40 active gangs with 1200 members on the Tampa streets. With all the violence in America the Justice Department of Tampa has allotted $550,000 for the campaign against gangs and the community has donated $172,000. About 25% of the budget is aimed for TampaBayGangs.com.
The website is designed to not fit the general look of a government agency, to better relate to those who may be at risk of gang involvement. The site aims to educate kids as young as 10. Hillsbourough Sheriff David Gee stated in a news conference, "We want to get to the children before the gangs do."
The website uses interactive media letting you choose to hear the stories and fill out a survey with actors portraying a former gang member, an educator, a parent and a citizen. As these characters describe the false allure of gang life and how it affects each characters unique world the user is asked questions on how they feel about each actions or if they have ever been in a similar situation. The use of the interactive media makes the educational process seem more conversational and help reach to an audience who is tempted by the gang life's lure.
University of Tampa student Elliot Payne said, "Violence in the streets is bad, I mean we all saw with Ryan (McCall) earlier this year. And gangs promote the type of acts that result in innocent people dead. I think this is a great educational tool and a step to trying to fix the problem. We are very much sheltered at the University but we all know whats going on."
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