On 2/28/18 and 3/1/18, Whitehall Police conducted crime blitzes utilizing increased manpower and focusing on certain types of criminal activity. “Blitzes” combine the use of uniform, plain clothes, and undercover officers working together on the same objective and typically focused on a specific location or area.
The first night, 2/28, police conducted a “drug blitz” by targeting drug activity in the area of E. Main St. A total of 11 arrests were made for crimes including Forgery, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Weapons Under Disability. Police recovered 18 grams of cocaine, 18 grams of meth, 67 grams of Marijuana, 2 guns, and $7413 of suspected drug money.
The second night, 3/1, police conducted a “retail theft blitz” targeting crime in and around shopping centers. They focused on the Town & Country shops on E. Broad St. and the shops in the area of Walmart on E. Main St. Whitehall Police made 9 arrests for crimes including Theft, Possession of Drug Instruments, Soliciting, Criminal Damaging, Drug Possession, Fail to Comply with the Lawful Order of a Police Officer, and multiple Felony Warrants.
“These blitzes are as much an effort to keep our citizens safe as they are to catch criminals victimizing our businesses. People want to know they are safe and secure when they go to the grocery or a store and should not have to worry about criminal activity around them. This is the first of many blitzes to come this year,” said Sgt. Spencer Salyers who participated both nights.