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Article Photos
Tribune Chronicle / Joe Gorman
Trumbull County Probation Officer Vince Peterson carries evidence out of a
Vermont Street home in Warren on Wednesday.
WARREN - Law enforcement flexed its muscles Wednesday, as more than 100
officers from 13 agencies raided five homes as part of a crackdown on the
drug trade.
The locations were each hit about 9:10 a.m., and in the afternoon, officers
were on the streets in the northwest and southwest side neighborhoods,
pulling over cars and knocking on doors in an attempt to let people know the
police are serious, said Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere.
Altiere said the homes targeted Wednesday in ''Operation Reclamation''
mostly deal in heroin, with connections reaching as far as Detroit.
''We just want to let them know we don't want you here,'' Altiere said.
At least seven people were arrested in the raids.
Bowers said heroin has been making a comeback in the city and because Warren
is so centrally located and the dealers set up shop here, the problem really
affects the entire county.
Among the agencies involved: the Warren Police Department; Trumbull
Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force; Trumbull County Sheriff's
Office; Niles and Howland police departments; Trumbull County Adult Parole
and Probation; the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and
Investigation; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Ohio State Highway
Patrol; U.S. Marshals.
A press release from TAG said 600 bindles of heroin worth $15,000 were
seized as well as 100 pills and small amounts of marijuana.
Five firearms, a crossbow, drug paraphernalia and three police scanners were
also seized as well as $496 in cash, the release said.
Neighbors that ventured outside declined to comment, but representatives of
some of the city's block watch groups in those neighborhoods said they were
ecstatic with the heavy police presence and the message sent.
''I think it's wonderful that all the different agencies are working
together to accomplish this,'' said Larry Dueber of the Northwest Warren
Neighborhood Association.
Dueber said he is familiar with one of the homes and the neighborhood.
''That is one of the areas we patrol every night. It is a rough area,''
Dueber said. ''We are glad they are hitting them.''
Rhonda Bennett and Tina Milner, both of the Southwest Neighborhood
Association and the group ACTION, said they think the Hot Spot Cards passed
out by ACTION are helping and were a help in Wednesday's raids. The cards
are given to residents who can fill them out and give them to an ACTION or
block watch member, who can then give the card to the police. The cards
allow residents to report crimes or criminal activity anonymously.
Bennett said in some neighborhoods, the drug dealers have a drive-up system
in the houses they operate in.
''It's just like an open season for drug dealers,'' Bennett said.
Milner said the police have been helpful into checking complaints on the
cards. She said there are over 2,000 cards in circulation in Mahoning and
Trumbull counties that need turned in.
''I don't want this lifestyle that five percent of the people are doing
affecting 95 percent of the people,'' Milner said.
Warren Councilman Bob Dean, D-at large, co-chair of council's Police and
Fire Committee, said those arrested can take advantage of a free holiday
meal, courtesy of the Trumbull County Jail.
''Thanksgiving in the county jail is not as good as your grandmother's,''
Dean said.
Warren police Chief Timothy Bowers said he was thankful for the help from
other agencies. He also said that if needed, Wednesday's effort can be
duplicated, and if his department is needed somewhere, all someone has to do
is ask.
''I can do this again tomorrow,'' Bowers said.
jgorman@tribtoday.com
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