On Monday, April 10th, 2023, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of 19 suspected members of the Insane Gangster Disciples (IGD), a gang operating out of the west side of Jacksonville. The arrests were made as part of Operation Crown Down, a 6-month-long investigation targeting gangs, violent crime, and narcotics. Sheriff T.K. Waters said that the IGD is a local branch of the Gangster Disciples, a national gang based in Chicago.
The Gangster Disciples are a highly organized and hierarchical gang that originated in Chicago in the late 1960s. They are heavily involved in drug trafficking, as well as other criminal activities such as robbery, extortion, and murder. The gang operates in several states across the US, and its membership is estimated to be in the tens of thousands.
The Gangster Disciples have been involved in several high-profile criminal activities over the years, including the distribution of large quantities of illegal drugs, as well as murders and other violent crimes. The gang has also been involved in political activities and has been known to influence local elections in some areas through various means, including bribery, intimidation, and voter fraud.
Despite the arrests and convictions of some of their leaders, the Gangster Disciples continue to operate and engage in criminal activities, highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating organized crime in the US.
In Jacksonville, law enforcement found 18 guns and illegal drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The murder weapon used in the 2022 murder of Devonte Jackson was also found as part of the operation. The suspects are facing felony charges, including murder, manslaughter stemming from a fentanyl overdose investigation, and carjacking.
The gang raid in Jacksonville highlights the ongoing challenges of combating gang violence and drug trafficking. While law enforcement efforts are crucial, they must be accompanied by community-based programs and initiatives aimed at preventing gang involvement and providing resources and support to at-risk youth.
Something has to give when it comes to crime in Jacksonville. We need to find ways to work together and to reduce the influence and impact of gangs on our city. Finding ways to support young people in reaching their full potential is the core issue of the problem. The city can’t fund it or do it all. Churches, non-profits and individuals who are spiritually called to help youths in crisis are the key to cleaning up our city and giving kids a chance at a better life.
