Statement of Robert C Berens, Sheriff, Stark County, Ohio, January 26, 1984 (From Profile of Organized Crime - Great Lakes Region Hearings, P 378-411, 1984 - See NCJ-94574)

• NCJ Number: 94578
• Author(s): R C Berens
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 39 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-94574

Annotation

Stark County, Ohio, requires a continuous, organized presence of Federal investigations to address problems caused by organized crime.

Abstract

Organized crime flourishes in Stark County for a variety of reasons. The lack of a statewide law enforcement agency hampers crime fighting efforts. Sheriff's office budgets are severely restricted by county commissioners who are unsupportive of organized crime investigations. Consequently, the county is unable to detail adequate personnel to the organized crime problem. The historic corruption of persons in public service intimidates elected law enforcement officials. Organized crime figures and associates are placed in positions of public trust where they actively restrict crime investigations. When large-scale gambling or narcotics investigations have led to multiple raids, the courts have acted extremely leniently toward the suspects. In addition, there has been a very limited Federal law enforcement presence in Stark County.