From staff reports:

More than 50 law enforcement officers from city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies joined forces for a gang enforcement emphasis in South King County.

The emphasis was coordinated by the Valley Gang Unit, which is made up of officers from several South King County law enforcement agencies. The unit is purposed with reducing violent crime associated with criminal street gangs.

Participating agencies included the Federal Way Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, King County Metro Police, Seattle Police, Tukwila Police, Renton Police, Kent Police, Port of Seattle Police, Bellevue Police, Washington Department of Corrections, Department of Homeland Security, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the King County Regional Intelligence Group.

Law enforcement officers conducted covert operations, warrant arrests on several high profile gang members and high visibility patrols of hotspot areas known for gang activity.

The operation spanned several South King County communities from Skyway to Federal Way.  Their efforts resulted in 23 arrests of gang members and gang member affiliates.

“Tonight we conducted the first of several coordinated operations aimed at disrupting and dismantling criminal street gangs in South King County and the surrounding region,” said Commander Rafael Padilla in a May 19 news release. “We are committed to keeping our communities free of gang violence and tonight’s effort is just one example of that.”