DANVILLE, Va. – Danville’s effort to reduce crime is paying off and resulted in a drop in violence over the  summer. The effort, dubbed Operation Freedom, ran from July through September.

No homicides were committed during the three month period, which was the first time Danville has recorded less than two murders over the summer since 2015. Officers were busy, seizing 25 guns and making 142 arrests on nearly 300 criminal charges. Large quantities of drugs were seized, including meth, cocaine, marijuana and heroin.

The arrests were the result of a combined effort by the department’s Special Investigations section, including the Violent Crime and Gang Unit, Vice-Narcotics Unit, and the Crime Deterrence and Interdiction Unit.

The multiple investigations have led to additional cases being developed. These are ongoing investigations and additional criminal charges are expected.