Theyve already taken one major gang out of commission. To dismantle anything in life it helps to start at the top. Task force officials proudly announced they started arresting local Crips gang members, and they started with the leaders. "They are the ones who put it together, know how it operates and did operate and enforced the operation. By taking out those key people it really does dismantle it and disperse the organization to a degree of ineffectiveness compared to what it was prior to that time," said Colonel. Tim Hutchins, from Maryland State Police. Fifty-three Crips gang members are off the streets. Also off the streets are multiple pounds of cocaine, crack, marijuana, guns, and $45,000 in drug money. For many residents, its comforting information that comes as a big surprise. "You never think of Frederick as the type of town that would have heavy hard core gangs that you hear of in New York or the big cities, said Megan Mercieca, a Frederick resident. "Being a parent I understand that especially since they target children in elementary school now, junior high, its a big relief. Im glad to hear it," said Rita Hubbard, another Frederick resident. Investigators said two intertwined gangs were recruiting and committing crimes through Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties; The Outlaw Gangster Crips and the Money Maker Gangster Crips. While officials consider the gang dismantled they said members are still lurking, and can be considered prey. "The message is you ought to change your behavior because one way or the other you are going to unfortunately spend most of your life behind bars," said Hutchison. "This doesnt close the book. There are other gang members out there, other gangs out there, we will continue the efforts that started here today," said Charles Strong, Washington County States Attorney. "Its good to know this presence that you didnt know was there, but could have eventually led to something is gone," said Mercieca. This announcement comes just weeks after another major announcement, Frederick County now has a prosecutor who only handles gang activity and drug trafficking cases. Officers said this is only the beginning of the end of gang activity Police said the second gang leader, 33-year-old Martin Williams, is still at large. Reported by Cara Sinclair" New Security Measures in Place at Local Airports in Wake of Terroristic Plot,1155245008,1155245008,