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Task force arrests 400, seizes $16K in drug money
Five-month sweep was reinstated this year after a two-year absence because of staffing concerns.
Monday, November 03, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A Springfield Police Division task force wrapped up its work, netting more than 400 arrests and seizing drugs, guns and cash.
In a five-month sweep of the city, the Safe Streets Task Force seized more than $16,000, and more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.
The operation was carried out May 6 through Oct. 19.
"It's another way for us to step up our service to the community," said Springfield Police Division Chief Stephen Moody. "(The task force's work) is a success for the entire organization."
The task force was made up of four undercover officers who were teamed with the narcotics and uniform divisions, Moody said.
The Safe Streets Task Force was started in 2004 and resumed in 2008. Staffing-level concerns kept the task force from operating in 2006 and 2007, Moody said.
Officials felt a need to bring the task force back this year, even though the same staffing concerns persisted, he said.
"The men and women of this organization made sacrifices," Moody said. "This is something I wish we could carry on all year."
The police division plans to put another Safe Streets Task Force in place next year, he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.
