On the crime-fighting front in San Bernardino County, a multi-agency operation dubbed "Operation Consequences" recently wrapped up a week of intensive crackdown activities from September 8 through September 14. The operation, which included assistance from the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division, San Bernardino County Probation, California Highway Patrol, and several other state and local enforcement agencies, took to the streets and targeted areas known for gang activity and firearm offenses.
During the well-orchestrated endeavor, nine search warrants were served, primarily centering on gang members and individuals barred from owning firearms. The impressive haul from the operation, as reported on the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department's official release, included the arrest of 55 individuals on felony charges, 69 on misdemeanors, and the seizure of a substantial amount of illegal substances and firearms, specifically, "1,200 pounds of proccessed marijuana and 360 marijuana plants were seized, along with suspected herion, methamphetamine and fentanyl." The arsenal confiscated encompassed 31 firearms, four of which were identified as ghost guns — firearms without serial numbers and thus untraceable.
A noteworthy element of this suppression effort is its alignment with the recently enacted Proposition 36, a measure passed by voters aimed at addressing issues magnified by its predecessor, Proposition 47. As noted in a summary provided by the Sheriff's Department, Proposition 36 "includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes" enhancing potential sentencing for certain offenses and affecting pre-court release procedures. This new statute played a key role in two of the arrests made during Operation Consequences.
Funding for this extensive operation was provided by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, stemming from a collective desire to remedy "quality-of-life issues affecting the communities" in the county, a commitment that surely resonates with residents yearning for safer neighborhoods. Further efforts by Operation Consequences will extend across the next few months with the stated goals of curbing violent crime, disbanding criminal gangs, and arresting those involved in the illicit arms trade.
