The Cross-River Crime Task Force had its second successful deployment on Aug. 25, resulting in 12 arrests and charges for criminal felonies including a stolen vehicle.
Under the immediate direction of Major Nick Novacich, 27 law enforcement officers from agencies across the county acted as deputy commanders for the task force. They were dispatched for the deployment in the Granite City area.
During the six-hour detail, task force members conducted 60 traffic stops and five pedestrian stops, resulting in 12 arrests. Those who were arrested were charged with criminal felonies by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office on Aug. 27, according to a press release.
Officers responded to license plate reader hits for a stolen vehicle, stolen license plates and outstanding felony warrants. Arrests were also made for possession of narcotics and controlled substances.
The Cross River Crime Task Force was created by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, who previously specified that the LPR technologies used by the task force are not “red light cameras” and will not issue traffic citations.
The task force is comprised of law enforcement officials from the federal, state and local levels “with the goal of combining resources and manpower to protect Madison County from criminals who cross state lines to commit violent crimes. Chief Deputy Sheriff Major Jeff Connor is commander of the task force.
The Mission of the Task Force states, “It is the mission of the Cross River Crime Task Force to use joint county-wide operations to reduce crime flows into and through Madison County while working within an established electronic infrastructure (the license plate reader network) that was designed to balance legitimate law enforcement needs against the equally important interest in protecting individual privacy.”