Crime-Fighting Partnership Between Police, AG's Office Making Progress In West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police say a partnership with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office was critical in busting up a drug ring. Because of the partnership, the AG's office says they were able to seize guns, drugs, cash and even a flamethrower.
Neighbors at Connestoga and Addison Streets in West Philadelphia had the equivalent of box seats for a news conference they say sprouted out of nowhere on this warm, breezy Monday, shutting down their intersection.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and about dozen other officials trumpeted word of the recent demise of a drug trafficking ring.
"We have arrested 65 individuals for drug and gun trafficking charges in the 18th and 19th Districts alone. We have executed 45 search warrants, we have seized 41 crime guns," Shapiro said.
Miss Denise has lived in the corner row for decades. She says the neighbors take pride in keeping the block tidy. She believes something so simple sends a strong message.
"We keep it clean first thing, every day. You don't see trash around. We gotta represent our neighborhood. We don't let it go to the dogs even though we have people come by and throw bags of trash out of their car," she said.
And about the message from the news conference, most were pleased to hear of the increased law enforcement effort to chase out those dealing drugs and others responsible for violent crime.
"If y'all can clean this community up it would be a good job," Denise said.
The neighbors are pleased but they're curious if this work can take a bite out of the more serious crimes plaguing Philadelphia.
