Riverside, Ca- In an effort to address the street drug-dealing problem throughout the city, the Riverside Police Department Special Investigations Bureau implemented “Operation Save Our Streets” (S.O.S). The program was designed to target street drug dealers using six undercover officers posing as customers. The Special Investigations Bureau was dedicated to this program, with assistance from Field Operations Division and Special Operations Division. The District Attorney’s Office was also an important partner in this operation and was involved during all stages of planning and execution. The program began on March 7, 2005, and concluded on May 12, 2005, with “Operation Pat(terson) Down.”

During the program, undercover officers made a total of 116 undercover narcotic purchases from 60 different suspects. At the conclusion of the program, four search warrants were served at various locations. As a result of the program, 20.8 grams of rock cocaine, 3.1 pounds of methamphetamine, one handgun and $4,198.00 were seized, and over 60 suspects were arrested.

During the program, numerous undercover purchases were made from a residence at 2029 Patterson Street. This residence had been identified as a source of drug dealing. On May 12, 2005, a search warrant was served at 2029 Patterson Street. After the service of the warrant, detectives posed as the drug dealers and began selling methamphetamine to customers, who were then arrested after they made their purchases. The program ran from 0900 hours to 1500 hours. During that time, 40 additional suspects were arrested for purchasing drugs from the undercover officers.

A second “Operation Pat(terson) Down” was conducted on June 17, 2005, and resulted in the arrest of 31 additional suspects