Hammond Police, Louisiana State Police and the FBI are teaming up to step up enforcement along the I-55 corridor in Louisiana and south Mississippi amid an increase in gang activity.
Last weekend, a 17-year-old was shot in downtown Hammond in what authorities said was a gang-related shooting.
Jonathan Tapp is the special agent in charge of the FBI New Orleans field office.
"No one in Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, or anywhere in Louisiana should have to think twice about going to the grocery, a ballgame, or any festival, without gangbangers' gunfire going off everywhere," said Agent Tapp.
Tapp says gang members who are caught could face not only state charges, but federal prosecution as well.
"We will find you; we will investigate you; we will arrest you, and you may find yourselves in federal prison for the rest of your lives," Tapp said.
