A major crime sweep in the high desert area resulted in the arrest of more than 1,100 people and more than a dozen weapons confiscated, officials said Thursday.
Dubbed “Operation Desert Guardian,” the clean up netted high-powered weapons found in local neighborhoods, many where residents said crime had become so bad they were afraid to go outside at night.
"When I worked the streets years ago, we'd find handguns maybe shotguns..but we didn't find assault rifles like we are finding today,” San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said during a press conference in Hesperia.
"We've seen the firepower get more and more significant as the years have gone on," McMahon said.
With firepower getting more powerful, crime in the high desert also became more violent and widespread.
Deputies referred to hotspots for weapons and calls for service in places like Victorville, Hesperia and Apple Valley.
Hesperia resident Lorena Gragg said her neighborhood often felt unsafe.
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"I heard gunshots in this neighborhood many many times," she said. "And that's not happening in this area now."
Sheriff McMahon said that’s because during Operation Desert Guardian, which began in July and ended last weekend, deputies focused on those violent hotspots.
They arrested more than 1,100 people, with nearly 500 on felony charges including drugs and weapons violations.
The deputies also identified 72 new gang members and recovered more than a dozen firearms, six stolen vehicles and about five pounds of marijuana and methamphetamine.
"This operation proved very very successful and I believe raised the quality of life in the high desert area," McMahon said. "And certainly made the streets a whole lot safer."
Many residents agree, especially those who have children and don’t want their neighborhood known as a hotspot for crime.
"That's what they're here for to clean up the area," said Hesperia resident Raul Rojo. "So they're doing a good job."
