By C1 Staff
MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Mansfield post of the Ohio Highway Patrol is stepping up efforts to catch criminals in the act of throwing contraband over fences.
The Mansfield News Journal reports that the patrol is asking anyone who sees such activity to report it immediately.
There has been an increase of conveyances, or “fence throws,” during the past 18 months at Richland Correctional Institution and Mansfield Correctional Institution, according to Lt. Chad Enderby.
Fences at both facilities have prime target spots for contraband to be thrown over.
Since January 2013, the patrol has responded 38 times to the institutions to investigate suspicious packages or persons. Some cases led to arrests on charges of illegal conveyance of weapons or prohibited items onto the grounds of a governmental facility.
Both facilities have installed extra cameras, and the patrol has had success in catching suspects more times than not.
Security positions or posts were lost on the perimeter at the Mansfield facility in recent years, causing there to be fewer corrections officers on the perimeter. The additional patrols from police help cover this gap.
Motorists, neighbors and others who see suspicious persons near the fences are encouraged to call 911, the Mansfield patrol post at 419-756-2222 or Mansfield Police Department at 419-755-9724 to report the activity.