ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF) – The Arlington Police Department is partnering with The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to reduce violent crime in the city.
Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said on Monday that Arlington, like the rest of the country, is experiencing an increase in violent crime rates.
“Through June of this year we are up 12% compared to 2020,” said Chief Jones. “Our aggravated assaults and gun violence are driving our numbers.”
Operation Connect focuses on community engagement as a way to cut back on violent crime and deadly crashes. The APD Traffic Unit, Patrol Officers, Community Action Team, Gang and Gun Crimes detectives, SWAT team, K9 Unit, and others all work together to make Operation Connect happen. APD partners with ATF to determine when federal charges may be appropriate for an offender.
Arlington Police have recovered dozens of guns and tens of thousands of dollars in cash since it implemented the new program.
Since Operation Connect launched on April 5, 2021, officers have made 3,112 documented community engagements, according to APD.
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