Officials: Increased patrols producing results

CHILLICOTHE – When requests for special details are posted in Ross County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Matt Kidwell signs up as often as he can.

During the past month, he's had that opportunity more frequently. In conjunction with the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force, area law enforcement officials have been increasing patrols in specific areas of the city to combat problems such as prostitution, drug activity and loitering.

Kidwell signed up to spend an additional four hours working what he called the "East End Enforcement" overnight Friday, and a representative from the Gazette went along with him as he patrolled along Second and Sugar streets and back along Bridge Street.

Most of his night consisted of traffic stops: drivers with cars that had a headlight or license plate light out or anything that could give him probable cause to pull over a vehicle.

Kidwell said he likes making traffic stops because they give him the opportunity to make contact with people and find out what is going on in the area, particularly anything that may involve prostitution, drugs or other problems.

Sheriff's Lt. Mike Preston had told the Gazette previously that increased patrols in problem areas seem to be helping. He said deputies on patrol reported seeing less activity and loitering around businesses in areas such as Second and Bridge streets. Kidwell said since starting the special detail, he has noticed a decrease in activity in the areas he has been patrolling.

Preston said his deputies also report the public has seemed receptive of the stepped-up police presence.

"I've seen a change, I think the community sees a change, and we're letting people know we won't tolerate this kind of thing," Kidwell said. "They don't normally see sheriff cars here so now they understand we're trying. It's done its job."

Occasionally, traffic stops can lead to tips, which Kidwell said the sheriff's office can follow up on or can pass along to the task force, which makes an effort to look into every tip it receives.

Other times, the traffic stops lead to more than just tips. Kidwell said he had a car pulled over last week for a traffic violation and requested a K-9 unit come to the scene.

According to a July 20 news release from the sheriff's office, the K-9 alerted on the car, and following a search on the vehicle, deputies reported they found suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The sheriff's office charged the driver with operating a vehicle impaired and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

A news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Thursday stated that, over that same weekend, a special Shield Detail produced several results from a 48-hour crackdown.

From 10 a.m. July 24 to 4 a.m. July 26, more than 25 officers from the sheriff's office, Chillicothe Police Department and the Chillicothe post of the patrol heavily patrolled the city.

According to the report, 478 traffic stops were made, along with seven OVI arrests, seven felony arrests, three felony warrants, 14 misdemeanor arrests and 19 misdemeanor warrants. The release states Chillicothe police also served search warrants at two homes that resulted in the seizure of weapons and narcotics.

"Ross County law enforcement leaders have committed to utilize collaborative efforts like this to enhance our effectiveness and efficiency. As a result, Ross County is a safer place for all," said Virgil Conley, Chillicothe post commander for the patrol.

Although the statistics from the first 30 days of the heightened enforcement presence in specific areas of the city have yet to be released, Kidwell said he thinks it is making a difference. Still, the optimism is offered cautiously.

"It doesn't mean it's not happening, it's just not happening right here," he said.