TOLEDO, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above is from the violence reduction effort in May of this year.
So far in 2021, the city of Toledo has experienced 1,209 shooting incidents and 174 people have been shot in the city.
In response to incidents of violent crime, a combined federal, state and local partnership starts Friday with the goal of reducing gun violence.
Toledo Police Chief George Kral along with Roland H. Herndon, Jr., special agent in charge for ATF’s Columbus Field Division, on Monday announced a second Operation Clean Sweep.
Operation Clean Sweep starts Friday and runs through to Sunday.
According to a news release, Operation Clean Sweep will seek "to pursue federal charges, where applicable, against individuals who are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms, or who otherwise use firearms in a violent crime or drug trafficking offense."
“We are in an era where people are quick to use firearms to settle their differences. These people do not think about the long-term consequences on not just themselves, but their community as well. It is our goal to take these illegal firearms out of the hands of those who will cause pain and suffering in our city,” Kral said in a statement.
“I would like to remind everyone that violent crime is personal. Every person who is killed or injured is someone’s son, daughter, friend, or family member," Herndon said. "Remember that, pause, and step back from the violence. But be warned, as I’ve stated before, if you choose to use firearms to commit crimes, ATF and our law enforcement partners will be there as always, working to hold you accountable for those acts.”
