LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. — From taking drugs off the streets to recovering stolen cars, the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office street crimes unit is stepping up to the next level.
It's a unit that has been tried various times over the years in the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office.
They would assign a couple of detectives and patrolmen periodically to what was considered more of a part-time street crimes unit.
Earlier this year though, Lt. James Hall said the sheriff decided there was a need to take it full time.
"We've been going non-stop since then," he said.
Hall said it's known as a proactive unit within the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office.
"We go out in high crime areas where patrol deputies might not have the time or the resources to really go out and investigate crimes," he said.
Hall leads the street crimes unit team of four officers and two K-9's.
"We have former detectives that are in the group. We have former narcotic agents that are in the group," he said.
Hall said most of their patrols are saturated, making their own stops in high risk areas where they deal with mainly property and drug-related crimes.
He said this takes the load off the Criminal Investigation Department and patrol.
"We are kind of a dual purpose. We can help with both ends," Hall said.
To put into perspective just how valuable this unit has been in the one month it's been running, Hall said they collected 300 grams of meth in one week, had 9 felony arrests in one day, and has recovered about $100,000 in stolen items.
"It's not a numbers-based game to us. It's about getting crime and stuff off the street, but the statistics show that street crime units are very, very, very useful," he said.
Hall said the street crimes unit is lending a helping hand from England to Cabot between prosecuting and solving.
"We're hoping to make it a safer, less stress environment where you don't have to worry about anything," he said.
Hall said as for the criminals, he sends a warning.
"We are on our way. We are going to find you and we are going to investigate down to the last clue that we get and that we'll bring you to justice," he said.
Hall said they mainly rely on tips.
If you live in Lonoke County and want to report something to the street crimes unit, you can email the anonymous tip line at tips@lonokeso.com or call the sheriff's office directly at 501-676-3001.