The Stockton Police Department announced a substantial crackdown on gang violence with "Operation White Noise," leading to multiple arrests and seizures in a joint effort with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office. In a social media post, officials detailed the successful months-long investigation, which has led to a noticeable decrease in homicides and injury shootings in the region.
Significant among the operation's stats, 21 individuals are now behind bars and an arsenal of 22 firearms has been taken off the streets. Among the arrested were three individuals linked to 5 homicides, including two who are just 17 years old. Officials have touted a 35% decrease in homicides and a 13% decrease in injury shootings year to date, signs that the intervention strategies are paying off. To the tune of a 57% increase in firearm seizures from the previous year, the department confiscated 420 firearms, up from 268 last year.
"This victory belongs not only to law enforcement but also to every vigilant member of our community who has supported us," Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden expressed in the SPD announcement, crediting the "See Something, Say Something" initiative that started on March 17th for empowering community engagement. In testament to the overall crackdown effort, more than 1,300 felony arrests and over 2,000 misdemeanor arrests have culminated nearly 3,500 arrests.
