Orange County mayor launches task force to tackle recent gang violence in Pine Hills

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Tuesday that he has created a community task force aimed at reducing and preventing gun violence.

The announcement comes after a string of shootings claimed the lives of children in the Pine Hills neighborhood.

Read: FBI says Army gang, 438 gang behind recent uptick in violence in Orange County: What we know

“The solution does not reside with government and law enforcement alone,” Demings said in a news release. “It will take a collaborative effort of individuals representing diverse backgrounds who can help identify community solutions to longstanding problems.”

The tasks force comprises young adults, youth mentors, faith-based, leaders, behavioral health professionals, community advocates, law enforcement officials, educators and others.

Read: Orange County leaders push for end to gang violence as gun-related arrests continue

The first meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Barnett Park Magic Gymnasium. It will be held in-person and virtually and will be streamed live on Orange TV.

Members will focus on prevention, intervention, law enforcement and prosecution.

Read: Orange County sheriff says teen, toddler killed in separate gang-related drive-by shootings this week

Click here to read more about the Army and 438 gangs.

See the Orange County Citizens Safety Task Force member roster below, and click here for more information.

Co-Chairs:

• Jim Coffin, Executive Director, Interfaith Council

• Rod Love, President, Community Synergy Group, Inc.

Members

• Rachel Allen, Peace and Justice Institute, Valencia College

• Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Aramis Ayala

• Rolando Bailey, Evans High School, Orange County Representative, District 2

• Patricia Brigham, League of Women Voters

• Charles Brown, Bridges International

Read: ‘It’s too much’: 3-year-old killed in Pine Hills shooting

• Lisa Coffey, Student Services, Orange County Public Schools

• Ruth Cedeno, Orange County Representative, District 3

• Mimi Chan, Martial Arts Instructor, Wah Lum Temple & Host of Culture Chat Podcast

• Bishop Kelvin Cobaris, The Impact Church of Orlando

• Jonathan Cox, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Central Florida Department of Sociology

• Fernando Cuevas III, Orange County representative, District 1

• T.J. Legacy-Cole, Orange County representative, District 6

• Eric Debose, Orange County Sheriff’s Office and mentor

Read: ‘Innocent children are dying’: Candlelight vigil canceled for 3-year-old killed in Pine Hills shooting over fear of violence

• Lisa Early, City of Orlando Families, Parks & Recreation Department

• Alondra Gittelson Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School massacre survivor and UCF student

• Pastor Terrance Gray, St. Mark African American Methodist Church

• Adam Hartnett, Neighborhood Ministries, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

• Cory Austin Jackson, Valencia College student

• Samantha Love, We The Future Movement

• Ricky Ly, Jacobs Engineering and advocate

• Bishop-Elect Derrick McCrae, African-America Council of Christian Clergy

• Chief Mike McKinley, Apopka Police Department and Orange/Osceola County Chiefs of Police

• Orange County Sheriff John Mina

• Miles Mulrain, Jr., activist and founder of Let Your Voice Be Heard

• Myesha Murray, Apopka Boys & Girls Club

• Nancy Oesch, Florida Technical College adjunct professor

• Javier Andres Pineiro, Florida Department of Health and UCF Student, Orange County representative, District 4

• Chief Orlando Rolon, Orlando Police Department

• Patricia Rumph, Pine Hills Community Council

• Ruben Saldaña, Founder of Ru Camp, Orange County representative, District 5

• Pastor Gabriel Salguero, Calvario City Church & President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition

• Michael Scott, Executive Director, Helping All Youth Achieve “HAYA”

• Andres Toro, Orange County resident

WATCH: Deputies, police and FBI give update on gang violence in Orange County Orange County deputies, Orlando police and the FBI gave an update on gang violence in the county.

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Pine Hills shooting Investigators said Daquane Felix Jr., 3, died in a targeted retaliation drive-by shooting. Bullet holes now riddle his family's Pine Hills home. (WFTV Staff)

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