The Ohio State Highway Patrol is out in force - not just on traffic stops but criminal interdiction.
"We've put criminal interdiction on the same level as traffic safety," said Cleveland Post Commander Lt. Rob Gable.
The Highway Patrol was recently asked to take part in a new initiative called We are CLE. It's an initiative put together by U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott. It was born in part because Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek said he was fed up with crime and turned to Elliott for help in cracking down on those with outstanding warrants.
"An unprecedented level of violence which I have never seen before," said Polensek. After the initiative got underway, Polensek said there was a big improvement in crime in the neighborhoods he represents.
Troopers were involved in several pursuits last month. "They are a necessary evil. Sometimes people run," said Gable. "They're dangerous and they need to be apprehended."
Gable said 2017 was the highest year for people running from troopers. This year, that number is already higher than all of 2017.
The Cleveland OSHP Post has made 600 drug arrests, 70 weapons have been seized, and more than 400 felony arrests have been made, according to Gable.
"We're working with the Cleveland Division of Police, Marshals Service, DEA, a lot of task forces our troopers are involved in," said Gable.
Polensek wants to see more of law enforcement working together, and he has a message for criminals: "If you want to commit the crime, be prepared to do the time."
