-
Feb 3, 2007 7:08 am US/Eastern
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
CBS 2 Exclusive: Newark PD's New Attack On Crime
Elite Unit Hopes To Bring Lawbreakers To Their Knees
by Jay Dow
NEWARK (CBS) ―
Newark has been struggling for years with a raging gang and drug problem, but all that may soon change.
CBS 2 was recently invited to take a look inside the Newark Police Department, its new units, tactics and approach to policing.
CBS 2 cameras were there to witness Newark Police detectives executing a search warrant. The department has been under fire of late due to a wave of deadly shootings and other drug-related crime. The department gave CBS 2 unprecedented access to new tactics on the ground and in the air. We shadowed the newly formed Fugitive Apprehension Unit, which goes out looking for suspects, hoping to bring them in before they commit another crime.
We see cops barrel through doors, issuing direct orders:
"Police! Come out! Who else is in the apartment. Put your hands up!"
Detective Juan Vazquez later clarified the unit's maneuver.
"We could put (officers) in (the apartment) for a little while," Vazquez said. "That's a little while that they're not out there doing filth, ya know?"
The department also gave us an exclusive tour with its new narcotics squad, instead of focusing on simple buys and busts
This elite unit uses sophisticated, but extremely dangerous undercover techniques to build major cases against an entire drug organization.
"If we can eliminate a lot of the drug trade or the drug traffic coming in and out of the city, we can kind of attack the gang activity also," Sgt. Marilouise Bailey said.
Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy warns results will not come quickly.
"This city didn't get into the condition that it's in over night," McCarthy said.
The Newark Police Department is also taking to the skies with the state's only municipal police helicopter.
Lt. Greg Gilhooly, the helicopter's co-pilot explained that with the use of the skies any call dispatched can be answered within 15 seconds.
Improved response times are a key because when it comes to fighting crime every second counts.
On Saturday at 11 p.m. CBS 2 will take an exclusive ride with the Newark Police Department's new helicopter unit.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)