Gwinnett launching new crackdown on crime

LAWRENCEVILLE - Gwinnett County police are about to launch another crackdown on crime following such an undertaking last month.

"Operation Clean Sweep" will begin at 9:00 a.m. Thursday and end at 4:00 a.m. Sunday.

The purpose of is part of a continuous effort by the police department to make Gwinnett County a safer place and to address various community concerns.

The detail will involve most of the specialized units within the agency, which includes but is not limited to, the Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Suppression Unit, Gang Task Force, DUI Task Force, Highway Interdiction Team and the Community Response Teams. Other agencies such as the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Probation and Parole and VIP interpreters (volunteer Spanish speaking civilians coordinated through the District Attorney’s Office) will be participants.

This operation will cover areas in District V or the Central Precinct. This district primarily consists of unincorporated Lawrenceville east of Interstate 85 and unincorporated Duluth west of the interstate. The district also includes other major thoroughfares like Pleasant Hill Road, Lawrenceville Highway and SR 316. Officers will be conducting traffic enforcement, bike patrols and foot patrols. The goal is make contact with citizens in residential and commercial areas and to also neutralize any criminal activity.

“I was proud to see that criminal activity dropped in the West Precinct area after Operation Conscious Community was conducted last month," Chief Charles Walters said. "It is clear that concentrating our resources to combat crime has proven positive effects. I am confident that we will see the same results in the Central Precinct area as well.”