Deputies have been working hand-in-hand with businesses in the Santee Trolley Square and surrounding stores to cut down on crime rates in the city — particularly theft — the sheriff’s department announced Wednesday.
Nearly 40 percent of Santee’s property crimes occur within the shopping district, according to the department.
Since September, deputies have coordinated five anti-crime operations in the area and three of them were at the Walmart store located nearby. Loss prevention and security personnel from the businesses also participated.
The Walmart stings netted a total of 19 arrests on various charges, and nearly half were theft-related, according to the department.
“Other cases were for subjects with active warrants for their arrest, possession of narcotics for sale, driving under the influence of
controlled substances, and possession of narcotics or narcotics paraphernalia,” the department reported.
More operations are planned in an effort to curb crimes during the upcoming holiday shopping season.
–Staff
