See below statement from BPD Chief James Singletary announcing Operation Ceasefire at a Press Conference Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
“BPD’s Operation Ceasefire began in mid-February in response to an increase in violent crimes much like many communities are facing across the county. Operation Ceasefire was created and aimed at interdicting, reducing and disrupting violent crime by targeting prolific, repeat violent offenders and high-crime areas. Through this initiative, we were able to circumvent the lack of victim and witness cooperation as we interdicted these suspects in real time.
Operation Ceasefire was comprised of elements of BPD’s Special Assignment Unit, Special Services Detail, Criminal Investigation Division and Patrol in collaboration with other Law Enforcement agencies in Jefferson County. Our 6-month long operation yielded the following results- almost 900 high-risk traffic stops, over 260 arrests-12 of which were turned into federal firearms charges, with over 80 firearms seized. The arrests ranged from possession of controlled substances, to firearms violations such as unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Many of the suspects arrested were known violent offenders with substantial criminal records and several were known homicide suspects.
Reducing violent crime is a complex and long-term endeavor that requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including law enforcement, community organizations, and our citizens. We will continue to build off of the intelligence that we have gathered throughout the operation and keep working to make our community safer.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to the officers who were a part of this operation. They worked long hours on their days off confronting the most prolific, violent offenders in Beaumont and they did it with the utmost professionalism. The collaboration of multiple units and the partnership with area agencies marked a new way forward for the Beaumont Police Department with the goal that many of the strategies developed will integrate into future policing.
In closing, I would like to encourage the citizens of Beaumont to work with us to prevent crime in various ways by removing guns from your vehicles, cooperating with investigations, as well as utilizing Crime Stoppers to anonymously report crimes.”
Chief James P. Singletary
