9 Investigates: "Game Over Task Force" making Central Fla. safer

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — New numbers revealed how Brevard County's "Game Over Task Force" is making Central Florida safer.

The task force is made up of local, state and federal law enforcement, and said it has arrested more than 700 violent offenders.

Law enforcement watched surveillance video from an unmarked car outside of a Titusville home that suspects were trying to burglarize.

The investigators then surrounded them and the suspects tossed their gun and walked out with their hands up.

Officers said Jawaun Graham and Tibia Hair were arrested and convicted of armed burglary with a firearm.

"They have a very high success rate," said Jack Parker of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. "They are very quick at getting the people they are looking for."

The task force is often called in to help agencies outside of Brevard County.

"Rather than recreate these types of teams in every police agency, we have one team that is able to do it very effectively and save dollars for all the cities and agencies as well," said Parker.

The task force has arrested 720 of Central Florida's most wanted since it started four years ago.

Parker said he believes a new law will keep them locked up longer.

Governor Rick Scott signed a law that will make violent, gun-carrying convicted felons have mandatory 10-year sentences if they are rearrested with a gun in their possession.

"Now, the judges are going to be less likely to release them at first appearances. They are going to be more likely to be in jail," Parker said.

Parker also believes the automatic 10-year sentence will be a big deterrent and plans to put up posters about it in the jail.

The task force has also become a model used by agencies across the state.

WFTV