Cook County Sheriff’s initiative starts with ‘sweep’ of Harvey
BY STEVE METSCH smetsch@southtownstar.com July 2, 2012 3:28PM
Dart
Updated: August 5, 2012 6:12AM
Nearly two dozen individuals wanted on a variety of charges were apprehended last week in Harvey as part of a Cook County Sheriff’s office initiative targeting communities where there are “ever-growing problems,” according to a news release issued Monday by Sheriff Tom Dart’s office.
The news release said the operation marked the start of a “complete sweep” but did not specify which towns or areas of Cook County would be targeted.
Dart said the program will probably focus on two towns every month, and that with more than 40,000 warrants outstanding in Cook County, “we definitely will be in other towns in the south suburbs in the near future.”
Armed with more than 200 warrants for wanted individuals in Harvey, sheriff’s deputies and police on June 27 apprehended 22 fugitives on charges ranging from driving on a suspended license to burglary, forgery, robbery, retail theft and unlawful use of weapon, according to the release. Eleven of those arrested face felony charges.
Fifteen additional arrests were made by gang officers, most of them drug-related, the release said.
The sheriff’s evictions crew also completed multiple evictions, and found a home in the First block of West 154th Street where the residence was unoccupied except for three pit bull puppies and an exotic bird, all in questionable condition, the release said. The animals were turned over to Harvey Animal Control.
The sheriff’s Animal Crimes Unit took four dogs from two separate homes, all found living in deplorable conditions, according to the release. They were transported to the South Suburban Humane Society.
Additionally, Dart is beginning a “clean and green” initiative that focuses on parks and recreational areas, the release said. The sheriff’s Work Alternative Program is coordinating with the park district in Harvey to send crews out to clean up and restore their parks.
“Despite our own limited resources, we will always do as much as we can to help lend a hand to any and all towns in Cook County,” Dart said in the release. “Partnering with municipalities on large-scale operations such as this gives us strength in numbers to repair communities and fight crime in ways that small towns simply cannot do on their own.”
Staff reports
