Lorain County formed a Strike Force team June 16 in response to a petition drive by Lorain Councilman Eddie Edwards, D-5, who gathered 1,500 signatures from people upset about the city's rising levels of violence.

The Strike Force team of seven officers from local police forces has logged 78 arrests in its first weeks on the streets, primarily in Lorain, according to statistics from the Strike Force and Lorain County Prosecutor's Office.

Felony arrests have ranged from possession of crack cocaine to intimidation and assault on a police officer. Several arrests were for misdemeanor offenses including possession of marijuana, open container, jaywalking, obstructing official business and disturbing the peace, according to Strike Force information.

Edwards is pleased with his first impression of the Strike Force's work. ''They've made arrests and people have seen them, which is what we wanted.''

Edwards commended the team's work manner. ''I'm glad to see they are professional and respectful when patrolling or making arrests,'' he said. ''To reverse the decline in this city, we need officers visible on the streets.''

Like Lorain, the Elyria Police Department has two officers on the team. Elyria Police Chief Mike Medders said it has been a good investment.

''I think of them as a force multiplier,'' he said. ''I lose two men through the week, but I'll get six or seven this weekend, when I need help on Friday and Saturday night at bar closings.'' Medders said fights can often break out when taverns are closing around 2 a.m.

The Strike Force is headed by Capt. Dennis Cavanaugh of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, who said the team has two parts.

''We patrol areas we know have problems and we respond to calls from local departments,'' Cavanaugh said.

The Strike Force is learning where to patrol from private citizens, he said. ''People are sending us letters identifying bad areas. The information is kept confidential. You can tell people are scared to leave their homes. That's no way to live,'' Cavanaugh said.

On the Strike Force's second night of operation, a call from Elyria police yielded two felony arrests.

''Elyria police called for assistance at a shooting and we responded,'' Cavanaugh said. ''On the scene, we made two narcotics arrests.''

Cavanaugh also serves as commander of the Lorain County Drug Task Force. ''We had gone after larger dealers but could not go after street-corner crime,'' he said.

The Strike Force does exactly that. From June 21 to June 25 it made three arrests for possession of crack cocaine and 12 for possessing drug paraphernalia, according to Strike Force information.

Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will is hopeful that arrests by the Strike Force on weapons charges will go through the federal court system, where longer sentences are more likely.

''Weapons offenses will be reviewed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for federal prosecution,'' he said.

Crime reports usually take 10 days to two weeks to work through the system, so as of now no cases have yet been assigned to federal prosecutors, Will said.

To contact the Strike Force team with crime tips, call (440) 328-3013.

©The Morning Journal 2005

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Story from the Friday, July 01, 2005  Edition of the Chronicle Telegram

FUN ON THE 4th

ELYRIA
Elyria’s annual fireworks celebration in Cascade Park is today with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. when the concession area opens and games begin. Family games will be held at 7:30 p.m., followed by a family walk at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks show starts at dusk.
While Elyria’s getting a jump on the holiday, other communities also have celebrations planned. Here’s what they’re up to:
Avon
Fireworks at Avon Commons at dusk Sunday.

Avon Lake
TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center will present Avon Lake Community Fest, from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the TrueNorth Plaza, 33491 Lake Road, just west of Moore Road. The main stage will feature a variety of musical entertainment throughout the day, culminating with the performance of the TrueNorth Chorale and Symphony Patriot concert, directed by Richard A. Fortney at 6:30 p.m. The concert is being sponsored by the Avon Lake Recreation department and marks the beginning of the city’s Concert in the Park series. If inclement weather prohibits an outdoor event, the concert will be moved to St. Joseph Church in Avon Lake at 8 p.m.
Also on hand throughout the event will be food, dance and movement activities, hula-hoops and other contests, artisan demonstrations and interactive sessions, poetry and much more. A mini classic car show will be featured as well as hot air balloon rides and more. For more information, contact the center at 933-7771 or on the Web at www.TNCArts.org.
Fireworks start around 9:45 p.m. at Weiss Field, July 3.

Columbia Station
Synchronized patriotic music will highlight the fireworks display on Monday at dusk at Columbia Township Park, on state Route 82.
Grafton
The Midview School District will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a variety of events that coincide with the holiday. All events will be held at the high school on Capel Road. A guided tour of the new elementary school will be available throughout the weekend. Interested parties will be able to take a bus from the high school to the elementary school for the tours.
First up is a rib cook-off at the high school on Saturday. A baseball double header and a student battle of the bands will be held Sunday, followed by fireworks at dusk.

Lorain
The Lorain Port Authority pulls out all the stops for a festive at Lakeside Landing. The Firelands Symphony Orchestra will perform a special concert in celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
The public is invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the concert and the lakeshore before the 10 p.m. launch of the fireworks. Rain date will be Tuesday.
North Ridgeville
Fireworks at dusk Sunday at South Central Park.
Oberlin
Fireworks will be held at dusk Monday at the Hamilton Street Recreation area, West Hamilton Street, Oberlin.

Rochester Township
The Fourth of July Homecoming festivities, will begin with the opening of the food tent at 8 a.m., Monday at Eagle Street Park and Fire Station in Rochester.
Parade registration will be conducted from 9 to 10:15 a.m. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Food will be available in the food tent all day. Fireworks will be held at dusk.

Wellington
A concert by the Patriots Community Band and an Old Fashion Ice Cream Social will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Gazebo in the park. Fireworks will follow at dusk at the Lorain County Fairgrounds. Rain date is July 8. Donations will be accepted at the entrance.
Holiday festivities continue on Monday in the park. A pet parade will kick things off at 11 a.m. followed by a “Freedom Fashion Show,” at noon.