Pubdate: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 Source: Chillicothe Gazette (OH) Copyright: 2006 Chillicothe Gazette Contact: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2749 Author: Jona Ison, Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) THE FINAL NUMBERS ARE IN M.A.P.S. Blitz Produces Positive Results With Locals Many Ross County residents are hoping the law enforcement agencies keep up the spirit of Operation M.A.P.S. and do sweeps of the county on a regular basis. Janice Manring lives on Scioto Avenue where at least one person was arrested and charged with drug trafficking. Although she is pleased with what was done, she said there is more to be done, especially in her neighborhood. "I think they should do it all the time. If they crack down on them constantly, then they'll go somewhere else," Manring said. "But you've got to enforce it, though. They just give them a slap on the wrist." Tom Young, who lives on Park Street, agreed. "I think it's great. They need to be strict. If only the courts would back them up once they catch them (instead of plea bargaining)," he said. During the 72-hour blitz by Chillicothe City Police, Ross County Sheriff's Office, and the State Highway Patrol, 575 people were arrested with 156 of those booked into the Ross County Jail. More than half of the 40 secret indictments on felony drug charges were served, including one on Scioto Avenue and another on Mt. Tabor Road. Coleen Harrington was surprised to hear one of her neighbors, a 64-year-old man, was picked up on drug trafficking charges. "I guess we're kind of surprised by some of the people they're picking up. Sometimes you think you know your neighbors, but you don't," she said. Drug addiction has impacted Harrington's family. Not by a family member being addicted, but by a stranger on drugs who threw a rock at her car and injured her son several years ago. "I know it's in the community. I know innocent bystanders can be hurt by this stuff. It's a good thing (they did this). Anything that gets them off the streets," she said. Chris Brown, of Bainbridge, also has had his own brush with criminal activity. His home, near the county line, has been broken into a few times. "It's a good idea to get out there and do this, a good thing to get those who do have warrants. They're doing a heck of a job," he said. However, he wishes the budgets were larger, providing the Sheriff's Office with the funds to hire more deputies and have quicker response time and better coverage of the county. Nellie Holbrook, of Bainbridge, said she thought the sweep was needed. "It's probably a good thing we did that (the sweep) and caught up with some of them," she said. [Sidebar] Stats As Of Midnight Shut-Down Of 72-Hour Operation M.A.P.S. Arrests 39 Felony arrests 156 Jail bookings 30 Operating vehicle intoxicated 70 Driving under suspension 79 Seat belt 351 Safety defects 472 Warnings 575 Total (including citations and summons) Traffic stops 1,192 Traffic stops 20 search warrants executed 25 of 40 secret indictments served New cases 18 Felony 24 Drug 17 Felony drug 11 Other Items seized 24 marijuana plants 260 grams marijuana 1 pound marijuana 44 grams cocaine 40 grams crack cocaine 1 gram meth 11 grams heroin 111 pharmaceutical pills 12 miscellaneous drugs $10,068 cash 26 weapons 7 miscellaneous items, stolen property - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman