Law Enforcement

Federal officials are teaming up with state and local law enforcement to battle human sex trafficking.  Over the weekend, the FBI conducted their annual sting operation.  It's called Operation Cross Country. During a three-day law enforcement sweep targeting the problem of teenage prostitution, officers rescued 79 children and arrested 104 alleged pimps.  The operation took place Friday through Sunday.  It included more than 2,500 state, local and federal officers working in 57 cities.

It's one of those too-good-to-be-true situations. A viewer tells Eyewitness News she was called by someone claiming to be from Publisher's Clearing House. Supposedly, she had won $250,000 and a new Mercedes. But (and there's always a but) she would have to meet someone at Walmart and write a $100 check. Fortunately, she was bright enough to contact law enforcement. It's a good warning. Some things really are too good to be true. Roger

After hours of searching overnight, two campers in Cowley County are found safe. The two girls were missing from Camp Horizon east of Ark City Friday after they went for a hike in a heavilly wooded area and did not return. Law enforcement, including Cowley County Sheriff's Deputies, a K-9 unit from Winfield, an area tracking team and a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter assisted in the search. The girls were eventually found unharmed.

A torch run supported by law enforcement throughout Kansas will celebrate it’s 30 th anniversary as it runs the final leg in Wichita Friday. The “Flame of Hope” will lead the 2011 Sundown Parade before heading to Cessna Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2011 Special Olympics Kansas Summer Games. The Games will involve over 2,000 athletes, coaches, sponsors and volunteers  for two and a half days on the Wichita State campus. 

Is 70 too slow? Some in the Statehouse think so. Friday the House passed a bill that will increase the speed limit from 70 to 75 on divided highways. But some in law enforcement say faster speeds will lead to more dangerous roads. "When there's been an adjustment in speed," says Gary Warner of the Kansas Highway Patrol, "we've seen an increase in the number of crashes. " The law still needs to pass the Senate before the speed limit is increased

Suhani Bhatka and another girl were crossing Broadway near Harry, when a Wichita police officer's car hit her nearly a year ago.  They were not using a crosswalk.  Officials say the officer's view might have been blocked by an SUV.  And he was responding to a burglary call. Mike Schatz, Occupy Wichita spokesman, said a Kansas Highway Patrol report found the officer was speeding. "Possibly going as fast as 51 in a 30 mile per hour zone," Schatz said. "And, did not have any lights or sirens on to show that he was moving faster than what he should have been.

Name:  Mitch Powell Office Sought:  State Senate District 74 Political Party:  Republican Website:  N/A Education:  Criminal Justice Administration Civic Activities:  Former member of Halstead Chamber of Commerce, Halstead Police Reserves, National Federation of Independent Business, National Bison Association, Kansas Buffalo Association Profession:  25 years Federal Civil Service (retired), 31 years Kansas Air National Guard (retired), ten years owner of Kansas Bison Company, 5 years law enforcement experience Previous Office(s)

El Dorado Lake will be a popular destination spot as the Labor day weekend approaches. While thousands soak in the long weekend, park rangers want all campers to be prepared for all safety precautions. "You have to educate them to the laws and rules and the regulations of the state parks and the law enforcement" says park ranger Seth Turner. The biggest safety concern includes looking up all of your personal items at the campsite while on the lake. The Burger family of Wichita has camped at El Dorado Lake for the past five years.

Lawrence law enforcement is bringing in the help of ten other nearby agencies to help with crowd control and safety for the Jayhawks Final Four match-up. More than 200 officers will look to keep a projected 50,000 people in line in the downtown area.  "We will have officers stationed at every block", says Sgt. Trent McKinley. The game-plan was hatched on Friday for hundreds of officers come game time Saturday evening. Officers say they want to work alongside the fans.  "We are fortunate that we have done this a few times, so it's not a foreign concept to us", adds Sgt. McKinley.

Frank Abagnale is best know for his life being portrayed on the silver screen. "Catch Me If You Can" was a box office hit and not necessarily because Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks fronted a star filled cast in the movie. Rather, it was Abagnale's story of dodging the law as one the nations most intriguing and daring con-men ever. To add to his wild tale Abagnale did all of his criminal work before he was 21. Abaganle was in Salina Thursday speaking as representative of the FBI and as the keynote speaker at the Salina Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Membership Meeting at the Bicentennial Center.