SPD teams with ATF, FBI to curb gun violence
Apr 18, 2012, 3:54 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm
This Seattle Police Department photo shows weapons seized during a three-day emphasis operation at the end of March. It was part of a new partnership with federal agencies to curb gun violence.
The Seattle Police Department announced a new partnership that they hope will help combat a sharp rise in gun violence, which has risen to a five-year high and rattled neighborhoods like Rainier Beach and SoDo.
The department has teamed up with both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said Wednesday.
“We can share intelligence, we can target operations and will also bring enhanced penalties and criminal prosecutions to bear,” he said.
McGinn was joined by Police Chief John Diaz, as well as representatives from the ATF and FBI, to announce the first major bust of the effort, which was the result of a three-day emphasis operation at the end of March.
Undercover detectives seized handguns, rifles, shotguns, a bullet-proof vest and drugs during the operation, which targeted wanted violent offenders, drug dealers and gang members.
The department said the joint effort was also responsible for breaking up a suspected gun trafficking ring outside of Seattle on Tuesday.
Since the beginning of the year, SPD said at least 60 guns have been seized in targeted operations, several of which were tied to recent incidents of gang violence.
