NBC4 rides along with law enforcement officials during 'Operation Unity' crime crackdown

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A combined effort to combat illegal activity was underway Thursday on the city’s west side. 

Operation Unity brings multiple law enforcement divisions together and spans a 12-hour period. The goal is to reduce violent crime, address theft, mitigate drug-related offenses and enhance overall safety. 

Law enforcement officials spent Thursday driving around Prairie and Franklin Township. It’s also about addressing the public's concerns over the rise in stolen vehicles, shots fired calls and felonious assaults. 

NBC4 spent the afternoon riding around with deputies. Officers said that this effort is so much more than catching a criminal – it’s also about helping those in need. 

NBC4 witnessed four traffic stops. For one of them, Chief Deputy Jim Gilbert with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said the driver is 19 and the passenger is 18. Both are facing multiple felony charges like improper handling of a firearm, tampering with evidence and drug possession.

“This type of stop is exactly what we're out here to try to address, getting illegal guns off the street,” said Gilbert. 

At another stop, officers said they came across at least a couple grams of fentanyl. 

“These people are riding around with fentanyl, whether they were going to use it for themselves or sell it to somebody else, it’s a dangerous substance. So we've got to get that off the street before somebody loses their life,” said Chief Deputy Rick Minerd. 

Robert Kent is a community member that’s been involved with the police ever since his oldest son and two others were killed by a drunk driver. He said this operation is important for a number of reasons.

“I think there's so much going on on the streets that by doing something like this, they're able to get a lot of even drugs or offenders off the street. And it sends a message to the community that, you know, we want to be safe,” Kent said. 

Officers said that when they come in contact with someone who has drugs in their possession, resources are offered to them immediately to get them help, should they want it. 

“If we can get one person into treatment and turn their life around, then this was a success,” Gilbert said. 

NBC4 will update this article as soon as the official results of Operation Unity are released.