A multi-agency crime suppression, traffic enforcement initiative was held Friday evening in the City of Levelland which had a focus of addressing reckless driving.
The Levelland Police Department (LPD), Hockley County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Texas DPS Highway Patrol and Texas DPS Criminal Investigation Division (CID) worked together in the operation which lasted roughly four hours.
The focus of the mission was to lawfully deter and intercept criminal activity and reckless driving by implementing high visibility of law enforcement.
LPD Captain Mateo Lopez explained that these operations are set in place to address specific areas such as reckless driving, speeding, burnouts, etc. Lopez explained that reports of racing, speeding or reckless driving do not go ignored, but putting together an operation with additional hands aside from normal patrol allows law enforcement to focus in those key areas were reports have been common.
As this past operation was focused in various areas throughout the city, Lopez explained that timing is crucial as most of the reports could be happening during the evenings during a weekend. He explained that if the operation was conducted in the morning on Wednesday, that would not be very effective.
Over a span of four hours focusing on the spots where most reports came in the past, there were 55 traffic stops or field contacts. Four citations were given, 37 warnings were issued and eight arrests were had.
There was 12.4 grams of methamphetamine seized, 1.3 grams of fentanyl seized, one gram of marijuana seized and one gun seized. Arrest types included three charges of possession of a controlled substance penalty group one, less than one gram; possession of a controlled substance penalty group one, between four grams and 200 grams; unlawful carrying of a weapon; driving while intoxicated third or more; stalking felony warrant that was served and three traffic, misdemeanor warrants served.
“It is a two-fold type operation that focuses on crime suppression and high-intensity crime operation,” explained Lopez. “The intent is not to just give everybody tickets. The goal is to inform the general public of their violations to help prevent them from being reoccurring. Some of those citations are sightable offenses that cannot be ignored such as already receiving a warner for the same offense.”
Lopez added that any time the department can educate the general public while also making felony arrests is a win-win situation.