Sunday, May 30, 2010
Posted on Sun, May. 30, 2010
Show of force: Roving patrols result in 48 arrests

BY CAROLYN P. SMITH
News-Democrat
It was not business as usual in Washington Park on Friday night. Police officers from various agencies were in the village on roving patrols, setting up check points to look for people driving under the influence of alcohol and knocking on the doors of houses where they suspected drugs were being sold.
Washington Park Chief Dave Clark's colleagues want to help him clean up Washington Park, and they came out in big numbers Friday night. Some of them were donating their time.
Clark, a former St. Clair County Sheriff's Department deputy, was appointed chief May 4, about a month after the fatal shooting of the village's mayor, John Thornton.
St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus said the only way to clean up Washington Park is with a show of force.
"There are approximately 5,400 residents in Washington Park, and 17 percent of them are wanted on our (St. Clair County) warrants. Ten years ago, it was 10 percent. There are less people living here today, yet you have a higher volume of them wanted on warrants," Justus said.
Justus said he and the other officers were there to make a statement to the street corner thugs and drug dealers.
"We want them to know that their illegal activities will not be tolerated," Justus said. "With Chief Dave Clark out here, somebody who we can work with, we are going to clean up Washington Park so that law abiding citizens can feel safe walking the streets at night."
As Justus watched the officers round up one person after another for different reasons, he said, "I wish we had more people. We can't pay any more overtime. We just juggle schedules, and some people out here are donating their time to help out. That's what a lot of agents think of Chief Clark and his assistant Edgar Ellis."
In all, 48 people were arrested. Six citations were issued for driving under the influence; 17 were issued for seat belt violations; three for child restraint violations. Moving violation citations were given to 33 motorists and 27 received non-moving violations. Seventeen individuals were cited for illegal transportation of alcohol, four were arrested for drugs. Fifty-three warrants were served.
Mayor Cynthia Stovall-Hollingsworth, who selected Clark as chief, said: "It's Christmas in Washington Park. The police strobe lights are everywhere, and they are rounding up the bad guys and cleaning up Washington Park. I am well pleased with those actions and very proud of our chief. The citizens deserve some protection and peace. And don't forget, I am one of those citizens. We need more of it."
Both Clark and Ellis were working these streets. Like the other officers, they were bringing suspects to the mobile command post that was set up on the parking lot of the Canteen Township.
The agents were from the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Illinois State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, the Metroeast Auto Theft Task Force, FBI, and other federal agencies. Also among the officers were some of the members of the special detail Working Against Violent Elements.
"We're out here to serve notice to those who didn't get our message that we mean business," Clark said. "We intend to save the town and bring safety back to the citizens. We want people to come out of their houses without fear. And, we want everyone, including visitors to know they can come to the village and be safe."
Clark said people are coming out and applauding their efforts.
He also said all of the shootings and robberies that have been occurring in the village are going to stop.
Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.
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