CHICO — The Chico Police Department’s street crimes unit made 16 arrests in its sixth week on patrol, totaling the number of arrests to 98 for the team since it was formed in March.
Officers with the street crimes unit patrolled areas north of Chico State University in the sixth week.
“The mission of this Street Crimes D Unit is to impact the street level crime that affects the quality of life in this community,” said a press release issued Sunday by Chico police. “Robbery, burglary, gun and drug offenses, bike and other theft are all examples of the crime this team is tasked on addressing.”
The team took a new focus in its sixth week when the police department partnered with Walmart Asset Protection to conduct an anti-shoplifting operation. The release said several people were arrested on suspicion of stealing merchandise.
During the team’s standard patrolling outside of the shoplifting sting, contraband collected throughout the week included methamphetamine packaged for sale and a modified shotgun, which was taken from a known felon, the release said.
Though the unit made a total of 16 arrests, the highest arrest load came in week four at 22 followed by week three at 17.
By comparison to the 98 arrests so far in week six of the 11-week law enforcement project, the street crimes unit made a total of 282 arrests in 2018.
The temporary street crimes unit will end in mid-August, though a permanent team for the future has been approved by the Chico City Council and city manager.
