The Long Beach Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals and numerous other agencies, teamed together for a 4-day enforcement operation aimed at taking wanted suspects off the streets of Long Beach. The multi-agency task force titled “Operation Summer Heat,” began enforcement efforts on Monday, June 4 and concluded the evening of June 7, with several notable successes.
The operation focused on suppressing repeat violent offenders and fugitives in Long Beach while involving months of planning with all agencies involved. More than 200 representatives of these agencies participated and formed teams that targeted problem locations and criminals engaged in criminal activity such as shootings, gang crimes, and narcotics. The teamwork and level of organization behind this undertaking was key to its effectiveness — and an effort to set the tone for summer — when opportunities for crime typically increase.
The operation produced the following statistics:
- 280 arrests (171 felony arrests, 109 misdemeanor)
- 75 of the 280 arrested were gang members
- 242 citations issued (40 misdemeanor, 202 traffic)
- 200 sex offender compliance checks conducted
- 102 probation compliance checks conducted
- 32 vehicles impounded
- 6 guns seized
In addition to these statistics, a fugitive sex offender was located out-of-state and arrested as a result of one of the sex offender compliance checks. Detectives learned during the check that the offender had failed to register as required by law and was possibly living in Louisiana. The U.S. Marshals Service worked closely with their counterparts in Louisiana, who located and arrested the fugitive, who is being held on a $1,000,000 dollar warrant and facing extradition back to California.
“I am proud that the Long Beach Police Department was able to be a part of this enforcement operation, which greatly benefits our city,” stated Chief Jim McDonnell. “On behalf of the L.B.P.D. and the residents of Long Beach, I would like to thank the Marshals and our partner organizations here for dedicating their resources to this successful operation.”