Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond speaks to the media in this file photo.A group of Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies recruited to spend a month tackling crime in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County helped bring down the number of thefts and burglaries in those areas by 58 percent, officials say.
After sheriff's officials noticed a spike in burglaries, thefts and thefts from vehicles in a crime analysis report, they decided to form a "Power Team," that would support the patrol division in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County, sheriff's spokeswoman Atkinson said.
The team was built up with deputies from the patrol division, criminal investigation division, fugitive and narcotics divisions, Atkinson said.
In their month and a half of operation, the team was able to identify several individuals with warrants for theft and burglaries.
The team's activity resulted in a 58 percent decreased in reported thefts and burglaries, Atkinson said.
Through their work during the holiday season, the team made 116 arrests, 11 narcotics seizures, two vehicle seizures, two weapons seizures and additionally seized $3,750 in cash, Atkinson said.