POLICE RAID HOUSES

More Than 100 Officers, 13 Agencies In Drug Crackdown

WARREN - Law enforcement flexed its muscles Wednesday, as more than
100 officers from 13 agencies raided five homes as part of a crackdown
on the drug trade.

The locations were each hit about 9:10 a.m., and in the afternoon,
officers were on the streets in the northwest and southwest side
neighborhoods, pulling over cars and knocking on doors in an attempt
to let people know the police are serious, said Trumbull County
Sheriff Thomas Altiere.

Altiere said the homes targeted Wednesday in "Operation Reclamation"
mostly deal in heroin, with connections reaching as far as Detroit.

"We just want to let them know we don't want you here," Altiere
said.

At least seven people were arrested in the raids.

Bowers said heroin has been making a comeback in the city and because
Warren is so centrally located and the dealers set up shop here, the
problem really affects the entire county.

Among the agencies involved: the Warren Police Department; Trumbull
Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force; Trumbull County Sheriff's
Office; Niles and Howland police departments; Trumbull County Adult
Parole and Probation; the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and
Investigation; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Ohio State
Highway Patrol; U.S. Marshals.

A press release from TAG said 600 bindles of heroin worth $15,000 were
seized as well as 100 pills and small amounts of marijuana.

Five firearms, a crossbow, drug paraphernalia and three police
scanners were also seized as well as $496 in cash, the release said.

Neighbors that ventured outside declined to comment, but
representatives of some of the city's block watch groups in those
neighborhoods said they were ecstatic with the heavy police presence
and the message sent.

"I think it's wonderful that all the different agencies are working
together to accomplish this," said Larry Dueber of the Northwest
Warren Neighborhood Association.

Dueber said he is familiar with one of the homes and the
neighborhood.

"That is one of the areas we patrol every night. It is a rough area,"
Dueber said. "We are glad they are hitting them."

Rhonda Bennett and Tina Milner, both of the Southwest Neighborhood
Association and the group ACTION, said they think the Hot Spot Cards
passed out by ACTION are helping and were a help in Wednesday's raids.
The cards are given to residents who can fill them out and give them
to an ACTION or block watch member, who can then give the card to the
police. The cards allow residents to report crimes or criminal
activity anonymously.

Bennett said in some neighborhoods, the drug dealers have a drive-up
system in the houses they operate in.

"It's just like an open season for drug dealers," Bennett
said.

Milner said the police have been helpful into checking complaints on
the cards. She said there are over 2,000 cards in circulation in
Mahoning and Trumbull counties that need turned in.

"I don't want this lifestyle that five percent of the people are doing
affecting 95 percent of the people," Milner said.

Warren Councilman Bob Dean, D-at large, co-chair of council's Police
and Fire Committee, said those arrested can take advantage of a free
holiday meal, courtesy of the Trumbull County Jail.

"Thanksgiving in the county jail is not as good as your
grandmother's," Dean said.

Warren police Chief Timothy Bowers said he was thankful for the help
from other agencies. He also said that if needed, Wednesday's effort
can be duplicated, and if his department is needed somewhere, all
someone has to do is ask.

"I can do this again tomorrow," Bowers said.