BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Police announced Wednesday what the police chief described as the largest violent crime operation in the department's history.
Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary announced that the department had been running "Operation Ceasefire" in high crime areas of the city since mid-February.
The purpose of six-month long operation is to disrupt and reduce violent crime among repeat violent offenders according to police.
“This operation involved months and months of planning and involved the gathering of intelligence in areas that are suffering from gun violence,” Jefferson County District Attorney Keith Giblin said during the news conference.
During the operation police made 891 traffic stops that resulted in 268 arrests Singletary announced during the news conference.
"Almost 900 traffic stops and not one major incident. That shows you my guys are doing a professional job. And I'm so proud of them. It worked out well. But it's just a start," Singletary said.
The arrests even included teens.
"Yeah and he was 15-years-old and he was one of the worst of the bunch. But we got a lot more out there and we're gonna go get 'em," said Singletary.
Of those 268 arrests, 12 suspects are facing federal charges according to Singletary.
"US Attorneys Office, they're all working in collaboration. Many of these turned into federal cases. So this is a great win for the citizens of Beaumont," said Beaumont Mayor Roy West.
The operation also resulted in 80 guns being recovered according to Singletary who pointed out a few of the 80 guns on a nearby table as he spoke about the results. One of the guns was a Glock with an automatic switch, which can fire 20 rounds within seconds.
Singletary also took the opportunity to ask residents not to leave guns in unlocked vehicles saying "do not do that. We need your help."
Police confirmed that the majority of the 80 guns recovered had been reported stolen.
In Beaumont alone so far this year 99 guns have been stolen from cars with 86% of them being stolen from unlocked cars according to police.
He also mentioned that many victims or witnesses may know who committed a crime but are uncooperative with police. Singletary said this is one of the reasons police initiated the operation.
"I’m trying to solve a murder now and there were two million people out there and nobody knows who shot the guy," Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens said of victims and witnesses being uncooperative in a recent investigation.
Stephens was referring to the Easter Sunday murder of Javoris Potier at the Laday Arena during a crowded Zydeco concert. The murder of the Houston father remains unsolved.
“We live in strange times. We want to be in a safer world. But we as a community needs to step up,” said West referring to victims not cooperating with police.
Police say that for the last six weeks shots fired calls have been consistently lower as a result of the operation.
“We will not tolerate violence (and) shootings in our city,” Beaumont City Manager Kenneth Williams said during the news conference.
Members of the department's Special Assignment Unit, Special Services Detail, Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol divisions worked together along with other agencies during the operation according to police.
“This is what collaboration looks like,” said Mayor West speaking of the joint effort.
Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also worked with Beaumont officers during the operation.
U.S. Congressman Brian Babin, Mayor West and law enforcement agency executives all gathered to support the Beaumont Police Department.
"So they can have the equipment, the taxes, the training and the ability to pay overtime. To go out there and take these crooks and criminals off the street," said U.S. Congressman Brian Babin during the news conference.
They're doubling down on the commitment to help keep Beaumont streets safe.
“So many dedicated law enforcement officers were involved in this operation ceasefire to get these thugs and to get guns off the street,” Congressman Babin said.
Beaumont Police say they will continue with Operation Ceasefire three to four times per month.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.