By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati police did their first neighborhood crime sweep of the year this week, arresting more than 100 people in two days and promising to repeat the efforts more often.

Chief Tom Streicher said he planned to use the Community Response Team sweeps, held about every six weeks last year, more frequently in 2004 as part of his response to a 26-year high in homicides in 2003. The CRTs gather about 70 officers from the department's drug units, investigations and Violent Crime Squads and send them to address specific complaints by neighborhood residents.

"We really focused on what people asked us to do,'' said Capt. Paul Humphries, the vice commander who led the CRT.

Monday and Tuesday, the teams:

• Focused mostly on areas where residents complained about drugs and prostitution, including in Pleasant Ridge, the West End, Northside, Price Hill, Winton Terrace and Over-the-Rhine;

• Got help from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control to investigate complaints at bars and carryouts. Four were cited for various violations: Club Embassy and Hot Shots in Price Hill; the Jet-In Market in the West End; and Martin's Bar in Over-the-Rhine.

• Confiscated four guns, one SUV and $1,749;

• Arrested a man wanted in connection with a Springfield Township homicide. Jeffrey Smith, 18, of the township, faces charges of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence. He is accused of hiding two coats and a pair of shoes worn by suspects accused in a December killing.

Two officers were hurt Tuesday. One, buying drugs undercover in the Fay Apartments, was punched in the face and left with a broken nose. Artimus Sartor, 18, was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer, drug trafficking and resisting arrest.

Another officer broke his hand as he helped arrest Sartor, who also was taken to University Hospital. All three were treated and released. The officers might be on light duty as long as six weeks, Humphries said.

He said he would start soon to talk with neighborhood representatives again about what spots they'd like targeted next time.

Email jprendergast@enquirer.com