Detroit Police Execute 100 Warrants In "Operation Restore Order"
DETROIT (WWJ) - They're calling it "Operation Restore Order."
Detroit Police Chief, James Craig said officers on Thursday, with the help of other law enforcement agencies, were working to execute 100 warrants.
This time they're focused on two high-crime areas, on both the east and west side.
"This was based on information that we got through our data; that this scout car area 514, and over on the west side, 814 (on the east side), have been recognized as more one of the more active, criminally active scout car areas violence and narcotics sales."
Who are police targeting?
"Murder, robbery, narcotics — in terms of the arrests warrants," Craig said. Charges also include parole and probation violations, weapons offenses, robbery, home invasions and assaults.
"Certainly the search warrants are narcotics locations," Craig said.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis was on the scene as officers collected evidence at a home on Laing Street, near Moross and Kelly, where three men were taken into custody for alleged drug possession.
Debbie Wilson, who lives across the street, was taken by surprise.
"When I looked out the door I'm like, 'What's goin' on?' " I looked out here, I'm like, 'Oh my goodness'," she said. " I mean, it's good to see them, you know, especially in Detroit with so much crime goin' on."
Among the agencies taking part in Thursday's raids were Michigan State Police, the FBI and the DEA.
This latest operation follows three similar raids in recent months.
At least 37 people were arrested during "Operation Mistletoe." a raid in the city's 10th Precinct, just before the holidays. Also last month, 45 people were arrested during "Super 6", a raid at an east side housing complex.
In November, neighbors clapped and cheered as over 150 Detroit police officers swept through a crime-plagued east side neighborhood, arresting 32 people.
Craig, who's been on the job as Detroit's top cop since June — said he's far from finished.
"We're gonna continue to do what we started last year," Craig said. "It's evident we're sitting on a 35 percent reduction in overall crime year-to- date."
