Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, Toledo Police Chief George Kral, and Roland H. Herndon, Jr., Special Agent in Charge for ATF’s Columbus Field Division, announced on Monday a second Operation Clean Sweep, a combined federal, state and local partnership aimed at reducing gun violence.
Operation Clean Sweep will be active in Toledo starting on Friday, July 30th, 2021 to Sunday, August 1st, 2021 as cities across the country continue to see a rise in violent crime.
Mayor Kapszukiewicz, Chief Kral, and Special Agent Herndon will hold a news conference on Wednesday at 1:30pm at the Safety Building to discuss the joint city-federal operation.
“We are putting the full weight of the city of Toledo’s resources towards making our neighborhoods safe,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said “This partnership with the ATF is another tool in our tool box, and we are using it.”
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.” said Kral.
“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. Remember that, pause, and step back from the violence,” stated Roland Herndon, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “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.”