Southern District of Georgia – The 43 counties in the Southern District of Georgia are much safer this week as local, state and federal law enforcement joined forces for a week-long fugitive apprehension effort last week. FALCON, the acronym for Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally, soared into the district June 9 and by the time the week was over 292 fugitives had been apprehended and 411 warrants cleared.

Operation FALCON 2008, the fifth in the series of U.S. Marshals Service-led fugitive apprehension initiatives partnered deputy U.S. marshals with local police, sheriffs, state troopers, parole and probation officers and other federal agencies, each dedicating man power and resources to the goal of removing as many violent offenders from our streets and communities as possible while clearing backlogged warrants from law enforcement’s files.

The successful partnership has been bad news for criminals for the past four years as law enforcement joined together with community safety and crime reduction as a common goal, capturing over 36,500 fugitives during the past four years.

Arrests in the Southern District of Georgia targeted fugitives wanted for crimes of violence, sex offenders, gang members and narcotics violations. Participating agencies were encouraged to identify wanted persons within their communities who were then targeted by assigned arrest teams within each geographical area.

Of the warrants cleared by arrest, 111 were for narcotics charges, 13 were for weapon offenses, 19 were for assault charges and 13 sex offenders were arrested. The remaining warrants were for charges ranging from burglary and robbery to arson and vehicle theft. Also, 90 parole or probation violators were arrested which is of special importance in our communities as these violators show a continuing disregard for the law.

“We are pleased that local law enforcement often looks upon operations such as FALCON as an opportunity to address fugitive apprehension issues in their communities,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “In the end, when this operation is over, our local partners are the people who will continue to live and work in the communities that Operation FALCON serves. We are committed to leaving behind a safer community for all of them.”

The success of the FALCON operations has proven to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension efforts in the history of the U.S. Marshals. When law enforcement agencies combine their resources, the greater good of society always comes out on top.

Edmund A. Booth Jr., the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, commented on the success of the fugitive apprehension operation by noting that the citizens in the Southern District of Georgia are now much safer. Booth said that “by removing these fugitives from our streets we help create a safer environment so that our citizens can more safely live and work in their communities.”

“The cooperation and enthusiasm of law enforcement agencies in the Southern District of Georgia has always been incredible,” said U.S. Marshal Tom Roberts. “We are facing new challenges in law enforcement and must always adapt to overcome sometimes overwhelming odds when faced with the criminal element that places our communities in danger.

With our law enforcement partners, law enforcement at all levels is dedicated to a safer Georgia, nation and world and it shows in this tremendous success.”

For more information about Operation FALCON, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm

 

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