In a bold and continuous initiative in the battle forged against the wave of criminality, Sheriff Bilal held fast to her promise to honor the mandate given to her by Philadelphia citizens. On Friday, July 30th in the lobby of the Family Court Building, the outcome of the joint task force’s “Operation Priority Takedown” was announced.
Bilal, the Office of the Philadelphia Sheriff in partnership with Philadelphia Police Department, Chester County Sheriff‘s Office, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (Violent Crimes Task Force), Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole, the Office of the Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police announced the commencement of “Operation Priority Takedown.” A sweep concentrated on perpetrators with outstanding warrants and a history of gun violence and perpetrators of violent crimes.
“With violent crime – especially gun violence – continuing to escalate in Philadelphia, it’s more important than ever for law enforcement agencies to work together to crack down on this epidemic of criminal behavior,” stated Sheriff Rochelle Bilal.
The sweep was just the latest in a series of periodic inter-agency actions to supplement and support the efforts of the Sheriff’s Fugitive Warrant Unit, a 24 hour/7-day unit of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. Bilal’s efforts and commitment to honoring the mandate given to her by Philadelphia’s citizens is strong, as she continues to help make the city a safer, better place to live and work.
Of the 176 outstanding warrants, 37 were taken into custody on charges including possession of illegal firearms, aggravated assault, burglary, strangulation, and homicide. The burglary and robbery arrests included as part of the operation are individuals with a history of committing violent crimes. Various types of weapons and ammunition were recovered in the operation, including an AR-15, double-barreled shotgun, and multiple handguns. The operation also netted thirteen (13) jars of marijuana and eighty-seven (87) marijuana plants containing over 39,000 grams with a street value of $400,000.
Deputy Chief Vernon Muse addresses the culture of “Snitches Get Stitches,” saying “The community needs to step up and say something if you have knowledge about criminal activity because if you’re not complicit in the criminal activity, it’s not snitching. The no snitching culture was made up by criminals for criminals. Not for law-abiding citizens. You don’t have to abide by it.”
It takes a special skill set to do this. It’s not about competition, it’s about collaboration in keeping our streets safe,” stated Chester County Sheriff, Freda L. Maddox.
“Every gun taken off the street and every person arrested with an outstanding warrant is a step in the right direction. We’ll continue to work, with the support of our partners, to capture those outstanding warrants and make the streets safer,” stated Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal.
In addition to Sheriff Bilal, in attendance were Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Danielle Outlaw, Chief Deputy Sheriff Vernon Muse, Delaware County Sheriff Jerry Sanders, and Chester County Sheriff Freda L. Maddox. “I’m once again filled with gratitude and honored to be part of a band of brothers and sisters so committed to doing whatever it takes to fulfill our oaths of duty. By getting violent offenders and their weapons they use off the streets, we’re helping make those streets safer for the law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia,” said Sheriff Bilal.
“This task force is proof that we don’t hold to municipal boundaries when it comes to keeping our streets safe. We’ll come together to keep this region safe,” remarked Delaware County Sheriff Jerry Sanders.
