Mobile Police hope to take more guns off streets

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile Police are taking names and taking guns.

Police Chief Micheal T. Williams announced the latest crackdowns from ‘Operation IMPACT’. This operation has been going on for six months now.

"Operation IMPACT has been an effective initiative that is attacking crime on a grassroots level in neighborhoods, and is sending a message that Mobile will not tolerate criminal activity," said Mobile Mayor Sam Jones in a press release.

It stands for ‘integrated municipal police anti-crime team,’ and the program targets illegal guns and drugs. 

Related: Budget issues jeopardize Operation IMPACT

The chief of police said these offenders have been keeping the department busy. Whether you're a gun aficionado or not, weapons can do some damage.

Chief Williams said, "[It] doesn't matter what caliber it is, every weapon on that table has the potential to take a life."

One-hundred-twenty-nine guns that is. Each seized through Operation IMPACT which began in July. In all, Mobile Police confiscated 1,123 weapons in 2012.

The weapons were taken over the past six months during intense street sweeps across the city. And the assortment ranges from pistols to assault rifles, including a Bushmaster Rifle, the same model used in the Newtown elementary school massacre.

"We are going to take back the streets in the city of Mobile. We are not going to tolerate crime of any kind,” said Williams.

The 6-month-long sting led to the arrests of 2,091 people, including 802 felonies. The locations of these Operation IMPACT arrests ranged from housing projects to West Mobile.

The mayor said, "The Police Department is to be commended for its success with this initiative. Illegal guns are being taken off the streets and criminals are being locked up."

The Chief said this is just the beginning.

"I want our criminal element to know that if we have not made contact with you within the first six months, don't relax, because we're coming for you,” he said.

These street sweeps are just the first of four phases for Operation I.M.P.A.C.T.

After the chief is satisfied with these results, there will be a gun buyback program, a weapons tip line, and a public awareness campaign.