DAYTON — Gov. Mike DeWine announced an investment of additional state resources to support violence reduction operations in Dayton, joining efforts with local and federal officials.
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Monday, the governor led a group of about a half dozen local, state, and federal agencies.
Dayton said its latest violent crime statistics show an 18 percent drop compared to last year.
But this year the city has had almost three dozen murders, the highest in five years.
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Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal said the city has 150 to 200 people who are repeat violent criminals.
This means targeting areas where the city has historically had problems.
“These are focused intelligence-led operations, directing efforts towards the small number of individuals responsible for the majority of the crime,” Col. Charles Jones with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
This also puts pressure on prosecutors and the courts.
“We gotta get away from just rubber-stamping bonds and being like ‘oh it’s this offense,’ Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said.
“Every person in Ohio, including every family member here in Dayton, deserves to be safe. Safe in their homes, safe in their neighborhoods, and safe in their daily routines,” Jones said.
DeWine had a very clear message for criminals.
“You can run, but you cannot hide,” he said.
Wilson also unveiled a new DPS website that catalogs felony arrests made as part of violent crime reduction operations across the state.
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