BIG SWEEP A SUCCESS

ALIQUIPPA - A helicopter hovered over Aliquippa until just before 3
a.m. Sunday, a noisy reminder to residents throughout the area that a
crackdown on crime was in progress.

And in the early morning hours, after a sweep by more than 100 local,
state and federal law enforcement officers in a two-county area, a
couple dozen people found themselves facing criminal charges ranging
from drunken driving to illegal gun possession.

Aliquippa Assistant Police Chief Andre Davis said Sunday he was
encouraged by the results of the sweep, and said that not only would
others occur, but he's now going to try to obtain tougher penalties
on serious crimes, including drugs and firearms violations.

"We plan on prosecuting cases federally as much as possible," Davis
said.

The sweep, dubbed "Operation Maximum Effort," was designed to focus
on Aliquippa and surrounding areas, Davis said, to combat the drug
and gun violence that has occurred there in the past few years.

Law enforcement conducted raids on bars, set up DUI checkpoints, and
sought out suspicious activity in higher crime areas in Aliquippa and
nearby communities, including Hopewell, Center and Moon townships.

In all, Davis said, police arrested 11 people for drunken driving,
charged seven for marijuana or crack cocaine possession, one for
illegal gun possession and arrested eight people on outstanding
warrants for charges including failure to appear for a court hearing
and failing to pay child support. One other person was picked up for
a state parole violation, though the offense was not available Sunday.

Five people were charged with underage drinking, Davis added, and one
illegal alien was arrested. Also, 23 traffic citations and 23 written
warnings were issued.

Agents with the state's Liquor Control Enforcement agency shut down
Jessie's Cafe in Aliquippa, Davis said, discovering that the bar did
not have a valid liquor license. Agents confiscated 162 bottles of
liquor and 1,200 cans of beer, Davis said.

Davis added that he was still collecting paperwork Sunday from the
various agencies involved in the sweep, so the names of those charged
were not available. Those who faced new charges from the sweep will
receive the charges in the mail, Davis said. Those who were arrested
on warrants were jailed.

Davis said he was pleased with the cooperation between the agencies,
including state police, local police departments, Drug Enforcement
agents and other departments.

"We were able to collaborate in our efforts and succeed in our
mission," Davis said.