Our View
Our View
Crackdowns a good first step in community cleanup
We have to hand it to our local law enforcement agencies in their latest efforts to keep our communities safe by working together in what is proving to be a very successful crackdown on known criminals.
What we’re reading about in the Times as well as on social media is a collaborative partnership between the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, the West Memphis Police department, the Marion Police Department, the Arkansas Community Corrections and officers with the federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agency.
According to Sheriff Mike Allen much of the credit for putting together this task force goes to West Memphis Police Chief Eddie West and Assistant Chief Bob Langston.
The main mission of the special multi-agency operation is to comb the entire county for parole and probation compliance checks.
In one particular operation law enforcement officers successfully arrested 11 suspects netting a total of 18 felony charges from a total of 10 separate searches.
In those searches lawmen confiscated illegal drugs, guns and stolen property. Then, a second operation in just a two week period was conducted with the assistance of the Marion Police Department in which five suspects were arrested and charged with felony offenses. According to Marion Police Chief Gary Kelley the operation led to a total of five suspects being arrested, including two within the Marion city limits. Felony charges ranged from possession of controlled substance, first degree endangering the welfare of a minor, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and felon in possession of a firearm. An juvenile was also arrested.
While these operations may be some of the largest involving all area law enforcement agencies let us point out that for several years West Memphis has been actively involved in partnering with federal authorities to reduce violent crimes in the city.
Much of what law enforcement officers are experiencing today is that the previous successes in West Memphis has resulted in these criminals leaving the city and moving into Marion and other locations throughout the county.
Apparently West and Langston realized the exodus and suggested creating this new task force of local and federal law enforcement agency with a specific mission based solely probation compliance.
As residents of West Memphis, Marion and communities throughout Crittenden County we are very fortunate to have such forward thinking law enforcement officers with an ability to recognize the importance of working together keeping us safe.
We’d also like to also commend West Memphis police officers and sheriff’s deputies for their quick response when crime occurs and, more importantly, how quick they are in making arrests.
We are indeed fortunately to have such excellent law enforcement in Crittenden County and our congratulations go to Sheriff Allen, Chief West, Assistant Chief Bob Langston and those associated with the federal and state agencies.
