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Deputy U.S. Marshals
have received worldwide praise for their skills in locating and
arresting wanted criminals, but the assistance they receive from
their colleagues at the local, state and federal levels often
completes their ability to capture the worst of the worst.
The U.S. Marshals have embraced such productive interagency
teamwork with other law enforcement officers at every level of
government for many years. The results of FALCON 2007 are
reflective of this established interagency teamwork. |
FALCON 2007
In February 2007, the U.S.
Marshals Service
conducted Operation FALCON-Baltimore, which focused on gang
members and gang activity, and resulted in the apprehension of 195
fugitive felons. In May 2007, Operation FALCON-Indianapolis took
place following a successful Fugitive Safe Surrender, and resulted in the arrest of 283 individuals.
As
part of a series of new initiatives that were announced in May
and June 2007 within the Department of Justice, the Attorney General directed the
United States Marshals Service to continue to conduct fugitive apprehension initiatives, including FALCON
(Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally) operations.
Consistent with the
Department of Justice goals and objectives, the success of these
localized operations resulted in the U.S. Marshals Service
conducting several additional operations targeting various offender groups in
selected States, districts, areas, and cities.
A total of 27 local FALCON
operations were conducted between June and September 2007.
The initiatives took place at varying times, and
targeted violent fugitive felons, sexual offenders, and individuals associated with gang activity. Several factors influenced the selection of target areas for
this initiative, including the Department of
Justice Safe Communities program, which addresses significant
increases in violent crime in specific locations; areas identified by the Gang Targeting
Enforcement Coordination Center (GangTECC); as well as areas identified by the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) as having significant numbers of sexual
offenders not in compliance with registration requirements.
Deputy U.S. Marshals teamed up with
their state, local, and federal colleagues in a
fugitive interdiction effort in specific cities.
FALCON 2007 resulted in the arrest of 6,406 fugitives and
the clearance of 8,219 warrants. Of those
fugitives arrested, 542 were wanted for sexual
offenses, 235 for not registering as sex offenders. In
addition, 300 documented gang members were arrested,
2,569 narcotics / organized crime drug enforcement task
force warrants were cleared, and 249 firearms were seized.
Teamwork ensured the success of
this summer-long initiative covering twenty-seven cities and
regions. A total of 540 different agencies participated -
22
federal, 70 state, 206 county sheriffs / departments, and
242
police departments. Within the Marshals Service, 30 districts
participated. |
