Forfeiture funds bring police new crimefighting tools

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force have about $12,000 worth of additional equipment to help them battle crime.

“This was all purchased by federal forfeiture funds,” Randall A. Wellington, Mahoning County sheriff, said at a Friday morning news conference. “It’s an example of criminals’ money being used to arrest criminals.”

The equipment, consisting mostly of tools used to force entry, includes battering rams, sledgehammers, pry bars, flashlights and telescoping ladders.

Lt. Robin Lees, task force commander, said the battering rams purchased with the forfeiture funds features flexible handles and neoprene ends that keep shock from the force used from transferring to the person.

“Going back 25 years ago, rams were homemade,” Lees said.

The task force officers who will benefit from the new equipment are from the sheriff’s office and Youngstown, Boardman, Campbell, Canfield, Mill Creek Metro Parks, Girard and Struthers police, Mahoning County Juvenile Court Probation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

Read more in Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com