MPD Hails 'Safe Campus' a Success

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - "Our children cannot learn in an environment where this kind of artillery and commodities are being sold and distributed"

Monday, Memphis City Schools Superintendent, Doctor Kriner Cash, commended Memphis Police on finding dozens of weapons, bullets and pounds of marijuana inside homes around 5 schools.

"The prostitutes, the drug dealers, those with the guns, are recruiting young adults, the kids to keep their businesses going," said Police Director Larry Godwin.

The School District had several gun related incidents reported in January alone. So, police director Larry Godwin says they went after the "hot spots" and spent weeks undercover.

Dr. Cash praised the joint venture, "As you recall a few months ago we found guns in schools in a short span of weeks, and this is the outcome of one of our joint meetings called with Director Godwin."

More than 300 people were picked up in the undercover investigation for charges ranging from drug possession to unlawful possession of a weapon. MPD named it "Operation Safe Campus"

"We feel the guns entering schools are coming from the streets, the houses and entering onto the campuses," said Godwin.

One of the school areas targeted was Mitchell High. Police say they got tips about people selling drugs to students from 3 homes on the same street less than a mile from Mitchell's campus.

"The men and women of MPD have responded and they will continue to respond," said Memphis Mayor AC Wharton.
Wharton says the community helped in this operation by calling police with information.

Cash says this kind of undercover work will continue until all MCS schools are drug and weapon free zones.

Undercover officers sought out drug dealers and gang members who live and conduct illegal activities near schools. Additionally, plainclothes officers patrolled hot spots near schools.

As a result of this nearly five week operation: On February 23, 2010 and March 2, 2010 Grand Jury indictments were handed down as a result of the undercover officers investigation.

On February 23, 2010:

• 51 defendants were indicted and 1 Juvenile defendant was to be arrested.
• The charges are Manufacture/Deliver/Sell of a Controlled Substance to wit: Crack Cocaine, Powder Cocaine, Ecstasy and Heroin.
• Of the 52 suspects, 10 individuals are known gang members.

On March 2, 2010:

• 49 defendants were indicted and 3 Juveniles defendants were to be arrested.
• The charges are Manufacture/Deliver/Sell of a Controlled Substance to wit: Crack Cocaine, Powder Cocaine and Heroin.
• Of the 52 suspects, 5 individuals are known gang members.

The parallel investigation utilizing Organized Crime Unit plain clothes detectives resulted in additional arrests. Examples of those arrests, as provided by MPD, are:

• On February 1, 2010 OCU detectives conducted a traffic stop at Knight Arnold and Ashwood, which is approximately 1/2 of a mile from Sheffield High School, and discovered 3.9 pounds of marijuana and nearly $3000 in the back seat of the vehicle. Jackie Arnold was arrested for traffic charges and Possession of a controlled substance with intent to Manufacture/Deliver/Sell.
• On February 4, 2010 OCU detectives executed search warrants at 562, 566, and 572 Gilleas, which are less than 1/4 of a mile from Mitchell High School, after receiving information that persons in these residences were selling marijuana to Mitchell High School students. Detectives seized 17 weapons and 1.5 pounds of marijuana from these homes. No one was home when the warrants were executed but Adrian Turner was arrested the next day and charged with Possession of controlled substance with intent to Manufacture/deliver/sell and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
• On February 10, 2010 OCU detectives made a traffic stop in front of Hamilton High School (Person and Elvis Presley Blvd) and seized a loaded Ruger .40 caliber handgun (obliterated serial number) which was discovered in a backpack found in the vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle, Marquett Marr, was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of an item with altered ID plate.
• On February 25, 2010 OCU detectives executed a search warrant at 287 Burwood, which is less than 1/2 of a mile from Fairley Elementary and Fairley High School, and seized 62.2 grams of crack cocaine, 2.60 grams of powder cocaine, 3.13 grams of marijuana and over $13,000. DeMeko Greene was arrested for multiple counts of Possession of controlled substance with intent to Manufacture/deliver/sell.

OPERATION SAFE CAMPUS TOTALS:

ARRESTS

• 105 Felony arrests were made
• 199 Misdemeanor arrests were made
• Total of 304 arrests

WEAPONS SEIZED

• 16 Handguns
• 8 Rifles
• 9 Shotguns

DRUGS SEIZED

• Over 67 grams of Crack Cocaine (2.39 ounces)
• Over 3,414 grams of marijuana (7.5 lbs)
• 56 Xanax pills
• 30 Hydrocodone pills
• 5 Ecstasy pills

ASSETS SEIZED

• $22,735 in cash
• 14 vehicles

This investigation is still ongoing.