Crime Crackdown: Operation Spring Cleaning

From car stops to crimes in progress, police are on the streets every night. But this past weekend marked the end of a special initiative known as "Operation Spring Cleaning." News 12 Long Island's

News 12 Staff

Jun 10, 2016, 1:00 AM

Updated 2,900 days ago

Share:

Crime Crackdown: Operation Spring Cleaning
From car stops to crimes in progress, police are on the streets every night. But this past weekend marked the end of a special initiative known as "Operation Spring Cleaning."
News 12 Long Island's Eileen Lehpamer rode along with Nassau's finest last Friday. The final weekend of the 45-day crime crackdown began with a strategy sit-down around 5 p.m.
Seventy Nassau officers were called in that night, including members of the Bureau of Special Operations and the Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team. Sgt. Patrick Ryder was behind the wheel for the crackdown on drug sales, drug possession, car break-ins and more.
Within a few hours, CIRRT members had arrested more than two dozen people, mostly for drug offenses.
Next up was a pawn shop in East Meadow where investigators said the owner bought items without the proper identification from the seller, as required by law. After that, police caught up with more members of the specialized intel team, which arrested two men for allegedly buying crack.
A BMW was spotted blowing through a stop sign while driving in Hempstead. The driver refused to pull over, and Sgt. Ryder determined that it wasn't safe to follow. 
Two days later, police arrested the suspected driver of that BMW after tracking it down using the license plate. Paul Medley, 34, of Hempstead, was charged with reckless endangerment. Court records show he has prior arrests for marijuana possession, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property and failure to stop at stop signs.
Another part of "Operation Spring Cleaning" was a three-night safety checkpoint in Elmont where police looked for everything from drunken drivers to people with expired licenses and registrations.
Within 20 minutes of appearing at the checkpoint, News 12 witnessed a driver get arrested after police said he failed a field sobriety test.
There were more than 1,000 arrests during the 45-day operation.
"It was very productive," said Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter. "We're moving the needle in the right direction."


More from News 12
0:29
State police: Crash closes section of Southern State Parkway in West Babylon

State police: Crash closes section of Southern State Parkway in West Babylon

1:56
Mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions on Long Island

Mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions on Long Island

0:50
Northwell Health Walk at Jones Beach raises money to support women and children

Northwell Health Walk at Jones Beach raises money to support women and children

0:15
Superintendent: Swastika found on classroom desk at Harborfields High School

Superintendent: Swastika found on classroom desk at Harborfields High School

Guide: School Vote 2024 budgets and tax informaton

Guide: School Vote 2024 budgets and tax informaton

0:39
Police: Man injured in Wyandanch shooting; suspect at large

Police: Man injured in Wyandanch shooting; suspect at large

1:59
Greenlawn teen arrested, accused of making ‘threat of mass harm’ at Oldfield Middle School

Greenlawn teen arrested, accused of making ‘threat of mass harm’ at Oldfield Middle School

1:45
 Missed swim lessons due to COVID-19 may be contributing to rise in child drownings

Missed swim lessons due to COVID-19 may be contributing to rise in child drownings

0:51
Vet Fest in Farmingdale aims to support, encourage veterans who need help

Vet Fest in Farmingdale aims to support, encourage veterans who need help

0:17
Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

0:32
Police: 3 people arrested during State Liquor Authority compliance check at Huntington Station deli

Police: 3 people arrested during State Liquor Authority compliance check at Huntington Station deli

2:28
How did a Nassau County doctor overprescribe highly addictive pain pills, despite strict laws in place?

How did a Nassau County doctor overprescribe highly addictive pain pills, despite strict laws in place?

1:43
CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

1:46
Hit-and-run on South Oyster Bay Rd. in Plainview leaves woman with concussion, 6 staples in head

Hit-and-run on South Oyster Bay Rd. in Plainview leaves woman with concussion, 6 staples in head

0:26
Principal: Student approached by van full of men in ski masks in Selden

Principal: Student approached by van full of men in ski masks in Selden

1:39
Montauk Music Festival rocks the East End

Montauk Music Festival rocks the East End

2:06
Homeowners asked to check home security video after string of Nassau County break-ins

Homeowners asked to check home security video after string of Nassau County break-ins

0:24
Police: Hempstead man exposed, touched himself inappropriately at Roosevelt Field Mall

Police: Hempstead man exposed, touched himself inappropriately at Roosevelt Field Mall

1:53
Toys for Tots make contribution to Promise of Hope Foundation to honor fallen Detective Jonathan Diller

Toys for Tots make contribution to Promise of Hope Foundation to honor fallen Detective Jonathan Diller

2:29
Museum of American Armor hosting 10th anniversary of World War II Encampment weekend

Museum of American Armor hosting 10th anniversary of World War II Encampment weekend