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Iredell County sheriff speaks on operation to crack down on crime

After a rash of brazen robberies and other violent crimes in Statesville, Iredell County sheriff launched a new operation to crack down on crime.

Channel 9 spoke with Sheriff Darren Campbell to see if his three-week plan worked.

For several months, Channel 9 has covered a string of violent incidents in Statesville.

In March, police found D.J. Turner dead in a makeshift grave. Several elderly people were robbed and assaulted in May.

“We had emails and phone calls and people coming into our lobby talking about some of the shootings and home invasions,” Campbell said.

Campbell said those messages from concerned residents, and the murder of 7-year-old Ayana Allen in Salisbury, compelled him to step in.

Several homes have been shot at within the past few months.

“An innocent victim is always having to pay the price and that's not something I was willing to bear,” Campbell said.

From May 24 to June 15, Campbell combined resources from the Sheriff’s Office, Statesville police and the Highway Patrol, Department of Motor Vehicles and probation and parole offices.

Campbell sent 10 additional deputies on rotating shifts to patrol south Statesville.

“This was more of a focused operation to target the ones causing crime and bringing fears into the hearts of the community down there,” Campbell said.

Deputies wrote more than 600 traffic and drug citations, but Campbell is most proud of having nearly a thousand interactions with community members that were not enforcement actions.

“Walking up on porches, going to picnics, playing ball with kids, we did a lot that,” Campbell said.

This was the first phase of the plan.

Campbell wouldn’t give details, but said they will continue to add support where needed.

“We aren't leaving any community behind that's asking for our help,” Campbell said.

Channel 9 reached out to Statesville police about the impact of the operation and they said they are still reviewing the data, and will respond at another time.