FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — Law enforcement agencies across Franklin County detailed the results of a 24-hour operation to crack down on crime during a briefing on Friday.
Every law enforcement department in Franklin County held a massive crime blitz on Thursday, titled 'Operation Unity,' with the goal of stopping as much criminal activity as possible.
“Our goal of the day is to arrest and interrupt as much criminal activity that are victimizing the citizens that we can,” said Whitehall Deputy Chief Dan Kelso ahead of the operation.
Columbus police made 18 felony arrests, 5 OVI arrests and conducted 251 traffic stops.
In total, Franklin County agencies took 32 illegal guns off the streets, arrested 99 wanted felons and made an additional 79 felony arrests. Police also removed drivers who were under the influence from the roads as well as 113 drivers who did not have a license.
Deputy Chief Greg Bodker said arrests made throughout the day included the seizure of illegal weapons and drugs. According to Bodker, a total of 11 illegal guns were recovered and many illegal drugs, including fentanyl, heroine and cocaine.
Additionally, 22 pounds of marijuana and 210 doses of ecstasy were recovered, among other items.
"Although this was a small footprint that we operated in, the results were astounding," said Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant.
“We do it in Whitehall every day. Now we have the county hopefully on board. We don’t put up with it in Whitehall. We have never stopped our operations, we haven’t changed that. Some agencies have backed off a little bit over the last couple of years because of social pressure. That’s not what is going on here,” said Kelso on Thursday.
While several agencies have worked together in the past, Thursday marked the first time every department in Franklin County partnered for a 24-hour crime blitz.
"The work doesn't end here," said Bryant. "You have our commitment from the Division of Police that we will keep our focus on these problems, but we will also keep our focus on making sure we wrap our arms around the community. We're not done here."
Below are the Operation Unity results provided by Columbus police:
- 251 Traffic Stops
- 155 Traffic Citations
- 100 Traffic Warnings
- 18 Felony Arrests
- 10 Misdemeanor Arrests
- 31 No Operator’s license
- 5 OVI
- 9 Search Warrants Served
- 20 Arrest Warrants Served
- $51,000.00 Illegal Assets Seized
- 11 Illegal Guns Seized
- 1 Stolen Vehicle Recovered
- 1 Juvenile Arrest
- 54 Citizens Contacted
- 12.8 grams of Cocaine Seized
- $1,280.00 Cocaine Street Value
- 1457.3 grams of Fentanyl Seized
- $110,632.50 Fentanyl Street Value
- 12.2 grams of Heroin Seized
- $1,220.00 Heroin Street Value
- 323.39 grams of Marijuana Seized
- $3,233.90 Marijuana Street Value
- 96.76 grams of Pills Seized
- $1,451.40 Pills Street Value
- 28 Vehicle Impounds
- 201 grams of Methamphetamine Seized
- $20,100 Methamphetamine Street Value