CLEVELAND — For the second time this month, the Cleveland Division of Police, in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and several other state agency, conducted a two-day "violence reduction initiative" that resulted in dozens of arrests.
On Monday, the OSHP announced that the operation took place on August 24-25 in Cleveland's 3rd and 5th Districts. Cleveland police and state troopers were joined by Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio Department of Youth Services and other local and federal authorities.
In all, the surge initiative operation netted 42 felony arrests, the seizure of 28 "illegally possessed firearms," and the recovery of 10 stolen vehicles. Authorities also seized varying amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and ecstasy in addition to illegally possessed prescription pills.
Earlier this month, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that state resources were being deployed to enact a "surge initiative" in an effort to help fight violent crime in Cleveland. On August 15-16, Cleveland police joined the OSHP and other local, state, and federal agencies in an operation that resulted in 52 felony arrests, the seizure of 16 illegally possessed firearms, and recovery of 12 stolen vehicles. Troopers, agents, and officers similarly seized varying amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy, in addition to illegally-possessed prescription pills.
"In less than two weeks, this partnership has produced almost 100 felony arrests, seized more than 40 illegally possessed firearms, and recovered nearly two dozen stolen vehicles," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement following the OSHP's announcement. "We thank the State Highway Patrol for their support and look forward to their continued collaboration in our RISE Initiative as we work together to reduce violent crime in our community."