Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Tuesday released the details of a year-and-a-half-long effort to disrupt gang activity in Polk County. The Violent Gang Investigative Task Force was formed after a brazen shooting in Lakeland that injured 11 people in February of 2023. The operation, which involves multiple law enforcement agencies, was created in February 2023 to investigate and "dismantle" gangs that are operating in the county. With the help of FBI Tampa, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and ATF Tampa, deputies were able to seize 57 guns and make 144 arrests, the sheriff said. Those arrested were between the ages of 16 and 29. "These are illegally altered firearms. Making them fully automatic," Detective Brett Hermelbracht said. “They are able to shoot a rapid number of rounds in a very short period of time." The task force also reportedly helped reduce gang-related shootings by 30% in the county. Gang-related drive-by shootings also decreased by 45% in the past 18 months, according to the sheriff. Judd said crime is now at a "50-year low." But the sheriff says there's still a lot of work to do. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/sheriff-judd-violent-gang-investigative-task-force-results/67-366f21c3-301e-4c0a-9a05-eeb3991b63d9