By ADAM FERRISE
Tribune Chronicle
YOUNGSTOWN - A police department program designed to remove illegal guns from specific high-crime areas had its most productive day Wednesday, the unit's commanding officer said.
Lt. Kevin Mercer said the Violence, Gun Reduction Interdiction Program (V-GRIP) arrested four people and confiscated nine guns Wednesday, the most firearms seized in a single day since the program began July 4.
''I think the program has been a huge success,'' Mercer said. ''From me being out there with the guys, the number of calls for shots fired has been drastically reduced.''
The federal program was run in Youngstown in 2003 and was seen as a major factor in reducing the number of homicides in that city to 19 for the year - the only time in more than a decade the homicide rate in Youngstown has been less 20. Warren is also taking part in its own V-GRIP.
Corey Council, 22, 511 W. Princeton Ave., was arrested about 12:15 p.m. and charged with burglary, escape, improper handling of firearms and for violating parole. Council had four guns at his residence, according to reports.
Officers reported that Council, after being handcuffed and placed in the police car, climbed over the front seat, got out of the vehicle and ran from officers. He eluded officers for some time, before they, with the help of an Idora Avenue man, found him hiding in the man's shower.
About seven hours later, Alex C. Green, 23, of Baker Avenue, was arrested on Breaden Street near Hillman Street, on charges of carrying concealed weapons, possessing a dangerous drug, having weapons while under disability, trafficking in drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia.
Reports state officers pulled over the vehicle Green was driving because it had snow tires and found two guns, two small bags of marijuana, five prescription pills of Atrium and two digital scales.
Three hours later, V-GRIP patrol officers pulled over a vehicle that drove left of center for about 100 yards on Division Street. The passenger of the vehicle, Christopher J. Scalf, was charged with improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of heroin.
Reports state Scalf told officers he carried the gun for personal protection.
About the same time that Scalf was being charged, other V-GRIP officers found two more illegal guns while investigating reported gunshots at 1617 Wick Ave.
Frank J. Karcher, 19, was charged with discharging firearms in the city and issued a citation. Initial calls to officers said Karcher fired an assault rifle, but reports said he told officers he fired a handgun but did possess an AK-47, which officers did not find.
Officers did find a rifle and a handgun.