ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Albany Police Department (APD) collaborated with several other agencies within Albany-Dougherty County on a two-day crime suppression operation.

On Monday, March 31, APD held a Media Monday where Chief Michael Persley went into more detail about the operation.

According to Chief Persley, APD collaborated with the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Albany Special Investigative Unit, and Albany-Dougherty Department of Corrections on this operation.

The operation was aimed at “enhancing public safety and reducing criminal activity throughout the city,” according to Chief Persley.

During the operation, officers focused on high-traffic areas and areas that were identified with a recent increase in crime.

“We would honestly love to just spend the night giving out warnings, but some people are going above and beyond to violate the law,” continued Persley.

Chief Persley said this resulted in the following:

• 160 citations issued
• 186 warning citations issued
• 18 arrests for DUI
• 3 arrests for suspended licenses
• 33 total arrests were made, 11 people had active arrest warrants
• 6 stolen guns were recovered

Chief Persley also addressed the increase in entering auto cases in Albany.

Recently, a 12-year-old arrested following a shoot out with police that stemmed from an entering auto incident.

“I’ve said it over the years, and we are seeing where offenders are getting younger, and these are crimes of opportunity. If you need to have these conversations with the younger members of your family, it is not cool, it is not the stylish thing to do. That is a dangerous game you’re playing,” he said.

Weapons are being stolen out of vehicles. Chief Persley is asking residents to not leave weapons in their vehicles.

“If you can just make sure you clean out your vehicles and if, if you do have a weapon first and foremost, please make sure you keep up with the model serial number and any other documentation you have in the event in the stolen. We can quickly put it into our GCC so that if we run across it or any law enforcement agency runs across it, we can get it and return it.”

Watch the raw Media Monday presser below:

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