Authorities conduct massive crime sweep across Fresno County

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At 4 p.m. Friday, the team assembled.

There were 18 Agencies, 142 cops, and a month's worth of preparation for one purpose.

"We are targeting high crime areas and will conduct parole and probation checks on known property offenders," Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said.

Operation Gold Star is the largest law enforcement operation in a long time, and, after a quick briefing on their objective, some teams targeted gang violence and others proactively scanned the streets for troublemakers.

Sgt. Dale Baumann's team focused on probation violators.

"Obviously, if nobody checks up on them the prospect of them reoffending is significant," Baumann said.

Deputies claim crime in Fresno County spiked ever since Proposition 47 passed, which reduced certain crimes from felony to misdemeanors.

This year numbers continue to grow, making it imperative that officers are more visible especially in areas with on-going criminal activity.

"Gold Star nights are just totally proactive," Baumann said. "If you have probable cause to stop a car, you stop a car."

By 6:30 p.m., Baumann's team arrested two people.

One suspect briefly struggled to escape arrest, but deputies say locking them up isn't the only objective here.

"It's good to let the community just know that we are out here," Baumann said.

The sweep lets people know if you break the law you are going to jail that night.

"If you're not a law-abiding citizen, turn yourself in, because we're going to be knocking on your door," Mims said.