February 5, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

TASK FORCE CRACKS DOWN ON EAST VOLUSIA STREET CRIMES

Law enforcement at all levels made their presence known on the streets of East Volusia on Tuesday during a coordinated street crimes operation that netted 11 arrests and 34 citations. More than 50 local, state and federal law enforcement agents along with probation officers and prosecutors all joined forces in a sweep of high crime areas in the Daytona Beach , Ormond Beach and Holly Hill areas. Officers fanned out on the ground and from the air during the 8-hour operation, targeting criminal suspects and wanted persons, high traffic locations and known gang members.

The operation was an equal mix of high-profile crime deterrence by uniformed officers and good-old fashioned investigative legwork by detectives in street clothes. The dual approach and law enforcement teamwork resulted in a successful operation that met all of its objectives, according to the detail supervisor, Captain Dana White of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. “The whole idea was to be highly visible and make our presence felt, and that was certainly accomplished,” explained Captain White. “The bad guys definitely knew we were out there, and I have no doubt that our efforts prevented crime.”

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, other participants included the Daytona Beach Police Department, Holly Hill Police Department and Ormond Beach Police Department along with the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Probation & Parole and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. In addition to the ground units, a Sheriff’s Office helicopter was dedicated to the effort. And the State Attorney’s Office also assisted in the operation to ensure a coordinated effort as cases move through the judicial process. “All of the agencies really pulled together to make this operation a success,” said Captain White. “It was a classic example of an aggressive street operation and law enforcement teamwork at its best.”

Among the arrests were two drug cases, several for driving with suspended licenses, one for disorderly conduct, one for resisting an officer and another for fleeing or eluding and driving recklessly. A missing juvenile was recovered during the operation and another juvenile wanted for armed robbery also was taken into custody. Officers also documented contacts with seven known gang members, developing information that could prove useful in investigating and solving other crimes.