By Rodney Wardle, News Channel 3 Reporter
rwardle@kesq.com

COACHELLA - Twelve people face charges today after a parole sweep this morning in Coachella.

The sweep is part of the ongoing "Operation Safe Coachella."

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department says today's sweep began at 6am, and involved checks on 35 to 40 parolees.

The sheriff's gang task force, Coachella Police Department and state parole officers all participated in the operation. 45 officers and deputies in all. 
Anna-Marie Trimble and her son saw deputies arrest a parole violator just off Date and Araby. It's not the first time she's seen police in her area.

"They did it before on Avenue 52. I see that about 2 or 3 months ago but I've never seen it in this area here," says Trimble.

Police say many of the violators have gang ties and convicted of violent crimes. They also confiscated an unknown number of guns and drugs.

"During these trying economic times, we're taking a proactive approach toward crime in the city of Coachella and the areas around here," says Lt. Frank Taylor with the Coachella Police Department.

Law enforcement prepared for weeks and months to get potentially violent criminals off the streets and behind bars where they belong. The first sweep happened in May. They arrested nine parole violators then and, they're not done yet.

"If they are committing crimes then they're gonna go to jail, if they're following the rules then they can continue to reside in these areas," says Lt. Taylor.

It's a comforting thought for Trimble and her family.

"We will be feeling safe cause we go out anywhere. There's no way somebody's just coming into our house and get things or take anything from us," says Trimble.

Police say they'll be conducting more of these sweeps in the future, although they won't say when.