Columbus Police released details about "Operation Unity 2," a 21-hour effort on the West Side bringing together law enforcement and community partners focused on reducing violent crime and connecting residents to resources.
Starting Thursday morning, Columbus Police spread out across Franklinton and the central Hilltop.
Officers made nearly 200 traffic stops and wrote 250 traffic violations. 45 people were arrested, including 30 felons.
Acting Commander Tim Myers said this operation was staffed with officers who volunteered to take part, the majority of them from Zone 3.
“I believe that officers should police the neighborhoods they know, the areas they serve on a daily basis, in service of the neighbors they know and have come to care about,” Myers said.
As with the first Operation Unity back in September, this will be followed by wraparound support services from various CPD partners.
Police Chief Elaine Bryant said the goal of this holistic approach is to improve the quality of life for residents.
"Some communities may have a bigger need for domestic violence counseling, some communities may have a bigger need for job training, some communities have may have a bigger need for more youth programs. So we look at what the needs are for that community. And we base our response on that," Bryant said.
In all, officers seized more than $11,000 in cash and assets, as well as 8 illegal firearms, including an AR-15 type pistol.
Five stolen vehicles were recovered and about $25,000 in suspected narcotics were also seized.
