In the wake of a string of shootings last week, authorities in the Atmore area are cracking down on violators and, so far, their efforts have led to over a dozen arrests. Over the last several days authorities have conducted an area drug sweep and search for other illegal materials.

Deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department originally tallied the week’s numbers at around 19, but the official number of arrests came in just shy of that total, at 14.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said deputies and local officers hit the streets in an attempt to drastically reduce the amount of narcotics and illegal firearms in the community.

Scott Walden, agent with the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force, said his department, as well as Atmore Police Officers and local K-9 units, checked local bars, stopped vehicles for violations and investigated suspicious gatherings in an effort to crack down on any and all crimes.

“We were basically stopping vehicles for any type of violation, checking on suspicious groups and looking for drugs and weapons and anything related to the shootings,” Walden said.

Arrests from the recent sweep include: Lee Ann Carter, of Bay Minette, charged with possession of a controlled substance, cocaine; Bianca Fitzpatrick, of Atmore, charged with possession of a controlled substance; Deon Frye, of Atmore, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana in the first degree; Samuel Lee, of Atmore, charged with possession of marijuana in the first degree; Wilson R. Henderson, of Perdido, charged with possession of marijuana in the first degree; Terry M. Brown, of Atmore, charged with possession of marijuana in the first degree and possession of a controlled substance; Narvie Dortch, of Atmore, charged with possession of marijuana in the first degree; Harold Bagwell, of Flomaton, charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; Montay Harris, of Atmore, charged with possession of marijuana in the first degree; Steven Knowles, of Atmore, charged with possession of a controlled substance; Rebecca Boutwell, of Atmore, charged with possession of controlled substance; Sheba Boyd, of Frisco City, charged with possession of marijuana in the first degree; Denard D. Stephens, of Atmore, charged with criminal tampering and obstructing a governmental operation; Demarcus Johnson, of Atmore, charged with firing into and unoccupied vehicle.

Although law enforcement officers said they have not yet made any arrests related to the recent shootings, they will be out in force in coming days employing tactics similar to those used in the recent surge in order to bring in suspects.