Troopers help police with summer patrols

CLEVELAND (AP) — State troopers are spending part of the summer helping police crackdown on violence in the city’s most troubled neighborhoods.

The special operation, dubbed Operation Buckeye, comes as Cleveland recorded its 45th homicide on Thursday, seven more than last year in the same period. Homicides with firearms are up nearly 19 percent, and felonious assaults with guns are up 10 percent.

Police chief Michael McGrath said the operation sends a message to criminals that authorities will strike high-crime areas this summer. Violence and crime typically peak during summer months.

“This is not a show,” McGrath said. “The’re addressing serious hot spots and quality-of-life issues.”

The program began last week, with police and troopers storming a suspected drug house and a state-patrol helicopter hovering above the city. Dispatchers from both agencies monitored radio calls from command vehicles to ensure officers could talk among vehicles.

Ten minutes after flooding the city’s near west side with cars, a state trooper nabbed a drunken driver.

State troopers are rarely seen in Cleveland, but staff Lt. Chris Zurcher said members of the patrol use these operations to familiarize themselves with the state’s biggest police departments in case they have to work together in emergencies.

The officers and troopers made 28 arrests for felonies and issued 112 traffic and misdemeanor tickets. They also seized heroin, crack cocaine and two handguns.