Over 900 people with outstanding criminal warrants were arrested in Sedgwick County during an operation dubbed Operation Triple Beam.

The operation took place between June and July to help reduce violent crime.  It was a collaborative effort between Wichita Police, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, the Department of Corrections, US Marshals Service,  the DEA, ATF, ICE, the US Postal Inspection Service, as well as the Sedgwick County District Attorney, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

The operation also led to the seizure of 80 guns, over $142,000 in cash and $835,000 worth of illegal drugs.  Ron Miller, US Marshal for Kansas, who spoke at the Monday press conference announcing the results, says Operation Triple Beam didn’t target specific neighborhoods or demographics, but those who specifically had outstanding warrants issued by a judge either through local or federal courts.

Senator Jerry Moran attended  the press conference held at Wichita City Hall.  Moran, who sits on a subcommittee that funds crime prevention programs, says his committee strives to make sure that those taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

“We know that the only way those dollars will be wisely spent with success in the operation is when there is cooperation between all the various law enforcement agencies.”

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says while the effort was successful, more needs to be done afterward to prevent those arrested from returning to crime after jail.

“…Most of these folks have a substance abuse issue or mental health issue, and we’ve got to start looking at this differently in my opinion.”

Sheriff Easter says from his experience in law enforcement, it’s a cycle, and often those arrested, returned to crime shortly after release.

“There’s got to be something for our DA’s office and the judges, if prison isn’t an option, then we’ve got to start doing some type of treatment center here within the state of Kansas, because this is not going to end.”