The Roanoke Rapids Police Department Thursday evening began a campaign called Enough is Enough to patrol areas in the city which have experienced an increased volume of violent crimes.
The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office joined the saturated patrol as well, Roanoke Rapids Chief Bobby Martin said.
This will not be a one-time effort, Martin said today. “We have determined a need of plain and simply getting out in the neighborhoods like we used to. It really did seem to have an impact.”
Martin said during the patrols residents imparted positive remarks on the effort. “The citizens have had enough of the violence. We have had enough of the violence. We are putting our officers in direct contact with people who are committing crimes or have been committing crimes.”
Results of Operation Enough is Enough
56 total traffic stops
14 citations
2 arrests
Arrests were for felony/misdemeanor drug charges and one wanted person
Chief Deputy Scott Hall and Major Neil Aycock of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office are onboard with the campaign, the police chief said. “The officers made countless contacts with citizens thanking us for what we were doing to slow the violence within the community.”
In a statement Martin said the saturated patrols consisted of officers and deputies on foot walking the neighborhoods along with roving patrols and checkpoints in and around the city. “The area of the 300 and 400 blocks of Madison and Monroe streets have been plagued by violence in the last few months.”
Said Martin: “The purpose of this initiative is to stop the violent crimes that are occurring in the city of Roanoke Rapids and surrounding areas. The ability to have officers on foot patrol in the neighborhoods is essential to combat crime and have the officers meet the citizens.
“The partnering of the police department and the sheriff’s office is just the beginning as the citizens will continue to see this type of activity. The citizens of this community deserve to feel safe in their homes and in the yard with their children.”
Anyone with information about crimes in neighborhoods is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810, call 911 for emergencies, or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 252-583-4444.
