Pubdate: Mon, 21 Nov 2005
Source: Beaver County Times, The (PA)
Copyright: 2005 Beaver County Times
Contact:  http://www.timesonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2449
Author: Bill Vidonic, Times Staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

BIG SWEEP A SUCCESS

ALIQUIPPA - A helicopter hovered over Aliquippa until  just before 3
a.m. Sunday, a noisy reminder to  residents throughout the area that a
crackdown on crime  was in progress.

And in the early morning hours, after a sweep by more  than 100 local,
state and federal law enforcement  officers in a two-county area, a
couple dozen people  found themselves facing criminal charges ranging
from  drunken driving to illegal gun possession.

Aliquippa Assistant Police Chief Andre Davis said  Sunday he was
encouraged by the results of the sweep,  and said that not only would
others occur, but he's now  going to try to obtain tougher penalties
on serious  crimes, including drugs and firearms violations.

"We plan on prosecuting cases federally as much as  possible," Davis
said.

The sweep, dubbed "Operation Maximum Effort," was  designed to focus
on Aliquippa and surrounding areas,  Davis said, to combat the drug
and gun violence that  has occurred there in the past few years.

Law enforcement conducted raids on bars, set up DUI  checkpoints, and
sought out suspicious activity in  higher crime areas in Aliquippa and
nearby communities,  including Hopewell, Center and Moon townships.

In all, Davis said, police arrested 11 people for  drunken driving,
charged seven for marijuana or crack  cocaine possession, one for
illegal gun possession and  arrested eight people on outstanding
warrants for  charges including failure to appear for a court hearing
and failing to pay child support. One other person was  picked up for
a state parole violation, though the  offense was not available Sunday.

Five people were charged with underage drinking, Davis  added, and one
illegal alien was arrested. Also, 23  traffic citations and 23 written
warnings were issued.

Agents with the state's Liquor Control Enforcement  agency shut down
Jessie's Cafe in Aliquippa, Davis  said, discovering that the bar did
not have a valid  liquor license. Agents confiscated 162 bottles of
liquor and 1,200 cans of beer, Davis said.

Davis added that he was still collecting paperwork  Sunday from the
various agencies involved in the sweep,  so the names of those charged
were not available. Those  who faced new charges from the sweep will
receive the  charges in the mail, Davis said. Those who were  arrested
on warrants were jailed.

Davis said he was pleased with the cooperation between  the agencies,
including state police, local police  departments, Drug Enforcement
agents and other  departments.

"We were able to collaborate in our efforts and succeed  in our
mission," Davis said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake