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East County News Service
May 17, 2015 (San Diego County) – Yesterday the Sheriff’s Department conducted 71 compliance checks as part of “Operation Surge” countywide, resulting in 63 arrests on charges that included possession of controlled substances for sale, probation violations, auto theft and outstanding warrants.
Lieutenant Scott Black states, “Historically, gangs have been territorial, but in recent years have been extending their criminal enterprises to outside jurisdictions. Gang members have been migrating to other North and South County cities and have been identified as suspects in active criminal investigations. Additionally, cities have also seen a rise in offenders being out of custody since the inception of Prison Realignment and Proposition 47.”
In order to combat the progression, the State of California, through the Board of State and Community Corrections has provided funds to help monitor Post Release Offenders. On May 16, 2015 the Sheriff's Department conducted "Operation Surge" throughout San Diego County from 4 p.m. through 2 a.m. on May 17.
The sweep included the East County communities of Lemon Grove, Santee, Ramona, Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley as well as North County and coastal communities and the city of Poway.
The operation was intended to suppress gang activity through aggressive enforcement as well as target those individuals identified as post release offenders identified through crime and intelligence analysis, as those people most likely to re-offend.
In addition to the 71 compliance checks, deputies also conducted focused patrols in areas identified as our current highest crime areas with the goal of contacting, identifying and arresting prolific offenders in those areas.
The operation resulted in 51arrests in North San Diego County along with 13 arrests in South San Diego County. A total of 172 field Interviews were conducted and 26 traffic citations were issued. Similar operations are planned for the future, Lt. Black confirmed in a press statement.
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