Gun-suppression program nets 25 arrests so far

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The city police department’s gun-suppression initiative, dubbed “Operation Ceasefire,” has netted more than 25 arrests in its first three days.

The initiative on the city’s South Side began after a rash of homicides. The goal is to reduce gun violence. The city’s most- recent homicide occurred Friday in the parking lot of a South Side bar.

City police are being assisted by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Adult Parole Authority, U.S. Marshals Service, Mahoning County Juvenile Court’s Probation Department and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.

So far, 28 people have been arrested, 65 vehicles stopped, 33 vehicles searched, 20 home visits on parole and probation offenders conducted and eight firearms recovered, according to a news release.

Of those arrested, four have been charged with carrying a concealed weapon in public and eight with felony drug-related charges.

The joint law- enforcement program will continue over the next week.

Police encourage anyone with information about individuals carrying or selling illegal firearms to call the department’s nonemergency number, 330-747-7911, to report those individuals confidentially.