Stockton Police, Code Enforcement Sweep Streets For Wanted Criminals

STOCKTON (CBS13) --  Stockton's police swept the streets and arrested dozens of wanted criminals, and for the first time, detectives brought along code enforcement officers to help.

A total of 55 law enforcement officers hit 100 locations on Thursday, on the hunt for criminals causing chaos on the streets of Stockton.

The crackdown comes after a crime spike in the heart of downtown.

Recently, a gunman opened fire on a family leaving a corner store, striking a baby boy in the head.

Police say it appears a new gang may be trying to set up shop.

"We're going to come in with all the resources we can with allied agencies helping, and show them we're not going to stand and let that happen, " says Officer Pete Smith, Stockton Police Department.

It wasn't long before officers found a handful of bullets stashed behind a dumpster; the hope is fining deadbeat landlords or forcing troubled tenants to clean up, which will keep criminals out.

"We're hoping to make it a better place for tenants to live and attract people to the area and squelch some of the crime problems we've had there," says code enforcement officials.

Due to budget cuts, the Stockton Police Department can't do it on their own, and help from state and federal agencies is needed.