The first two months of a new Atlantic City crime-fighting initiative resulted in 101 arrests and took three guns off the street, police said.
The Street Crimes Initiative began in October, focusing on Texas, Bellevue and Albion avenues, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
New three-quarters of the arrests were for drug offenses, including 25 for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.
The six-step program has police working with other agencies in the city, including code enforcement, and allows officers to issue drug offender restraining orders, or DOROs, which prohibit drug dealers from returning to the area where they were arrested.
Eight were issued or are pending over the past two months.
In addition to the arrests, the first two months resulted in 79 outstanding warrants executed, 66 summonses for trespassing, open containers and other violations, 20 motor vehicle summonses, and $5,876 connected to drug sales.
Police also seized two ounces of crack cocaine, 3½ ounces of heroin and 6.25 ounces of marijuana.Code Enforcement also issued 15 violations to property owners,and is working on demolishing at least three abandoned and neglected properties.
To maintain the progress made, police will monitor the neighborhood and continue ongoing communication with residents.
Plans are to use this method in other areas of the city.
