WARREN, Ohio -  In reporting that the City of Warren experienced the greatest number of murders in fifty years last year, Police Chief Eric Merkel is telling city council members that a large percentage of violent crimes in the city are being committed by a “relatively small number of individuals.”

In a year-end report, Merkel reported 16 homicides in Warren during 2020. Merkel says charges have been filed in seven cases, including Gregory Dajour Stallworth, who has been charged with murder in the death of Queysean Sallis near 1413 Fifth St. SW.

Merkel says he expects charges in two other cases.

Chief Merkel says those responsible for violent crime in the city are often involved in the production, transportation, and sales of illegal narcotics.

Police have partnered with other law enforcement agencies throughout Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, to fight crime in the city, according to the chief.

Eighteen people were arrested on a 92-count indictment handed up for a drug trafficking conspiracy which involved cocaine, crack, heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs in the Warren area, including providing a drug that led to the fatal overdose of one person, said Merkel.

Merkel says indictments are expected next month following investigations into three criminal street gangs.

Police recovered 209 illegal guns last year, according to Merkel. That compares to the recovery of 163 guns in 2019 and 157 in 2018.

Several cameras have been placed throughout the city. Merkel says police will be able to monitor the cameras from the police department.

The department is acquiring 20 body cameras, which Merkel says should be in operational sometime after March.  A body camera policy is still being developed.

Merkel says his department is still working for certification through the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. The Collaborative, provides certification to agencies who meet state standards on policies such as the use of force, vehicle pursuits, employee misconduct, body cameras, etc.