Lee Applauds ATF and Oakland PD for Operation Gideon III
Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today released the following statement after attending a press conference to announce the results of Operation Gideon III, a long term pro-active violent crime operation in Oakland:
"I want to thank the ATF and ATF Director Todd Jones for answering our call to make these critical investments in addressing crime and gun violence in Oakland. I would also like to thank Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan for their work in this important partnership.
“We all share in our concern and outrage about the number of illegal firearms that have landed on the streets of Oakland, and how often they are involved in violent crimes. It’s an issue that the Oakland Police Department and city leaders have devoted much time and energy in trying to address, with the hope of eradicating the flow of illegal firearms through our city.
“In an effort to address this problem, I met with AFT Director Todd Jones in Washington, D.C. and made the case and request that the ATF provide the city of Oakland and the Oakland Police Department with these specialized investments and targeted resources needed to help tackle this ongoing problem.
“I am pleased that this law enforcement partnership has been so successful, having led to the seizure of 92 firearms, several kilos of illegal drugs, and more than 70 arrests. The Gideon initiative serves as a model program that other cities can incorporate into efforts to stem the flow of illegal firearms in their communities. Most importantly, the initiative shows how effective we can be when we create federal and local partnerships to confront our problems head on.
“I will keep fighting to bring all federal resources available to address crime and improve public safety here in Oakland and in the East Bay. Because we can and must continue to build upon these types of collaborative relationships to continue to address the issue of gun violence and the range of public safety issues that affect our communities.”
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