Gang Crackdown Results in 585 Arrests

The FBI and Mesa, Arizona Police Department made 187 arrests in a 20-day gang crackdown last month.  This is the fourth operation targeting gang members this year.

"Operation Fall Freeze" took place from November 2 through November 22, raising the total number of gang arrests to 585. Of the 585 arrests, 101 were for felony crimes, including aggravated assault on a police officer. A total of 36 firearms were also seized during the operation. Other arrests included a gang member wanted for a home invasion, a gang member who had 8.5 pounds of marijuana in his possession, and two gang members responsible for $35,000 in damage from tagging and graffiti.

According to Mesa Assistant Chief of Police John Meza, there are about 15 active gangs in the Mesa area, and gang-related arrests were made in all areas of the city. 

Meza said that although the police will do what they can to reduce the amount of gang activity, that prevention and intervention are also needed.

"We need to start pulling together and put some intervention programs together in the department that prevents younger people from becoming gang members," Meza said. "Sometimes these younger people getting into gangs don't realize they can get arrested, go to jail, or get killed."

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