Operation Unity

You’ve probably noticed a pattern: crime flares up in one part of Central Ohio, then cools off—only to pop up again in the next town over. It feels like criminals are just skipping across city lines, staying one step ahead of the heat. And you’re left wondering: what’s actually being done about it?

You’re not alone in thinking that. And here’s the truth: criminals don’t see borders. They don’t care if it’s Columbus, Reynoldsburg, Grove City, or Westerville. Technology has made the world smaller, and crime moves fast. So if police agencies keep working in isolation, treating each town like an island—it’s a losing game.

That’s exactly why the Central Ohio Chiefs Association (COCA) created and sponsors Operation Unity. These coordinated “crime blitzes” bring together local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies—along with community support organizations—to hit back, hard and fast, across city and jurisdictional lines. There’s no public countdown, no advance warning. And that unpredictability is the point. It makes Central Ohio a much riskier place for criminals to operate.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly what Operation Unity is, how it works, and why COCA is investing in more of these blitzes in 2025—to help make your community, and the region as a whole, safer.

What Is Operation Unity?

Operation Unity is a coordinated law enforcement initiative sponsored by the Central Ohio Chiefs Association (COCA). It’s designed to take on crime trends together—not town by town, but regionally and strategically.

At its core, Operation Unity is about this: making it harder for criminals to hide, hop cities, or feel comfortable anywhere in Central Ohio. It brings together multiple law enforcement agencies—local, state, and federal—along with support organizations, to execute targeted “crime blitzes” across the region. These aren’t just routine patrols or reactive responses. These are deliberate, intelligence-led efforts focused on known crime trends, hot spots, and repeat offenders.

The timing and location of each Operation Unity blitz are kept under wraps, even from most internal stakeholders, until it happens. That unpredictability is key. It removes the ability for criminals to simply “wait it out” in a nearby city or duck under the radar.

Think of it like this: instead of playing defense one neighborhood at a time, law enforcement is moving as one unit—sweeping through the region in waves that criminals can’t predict and can’t outrun.

Why It’s Necessary Now

Criminals have evolved. They use technology to coordinate, move faster, and exploit the gaps between jurisdictions. One town’s problem quickly becomes the next town’s burden. And when enforcement ramps up in one area, offenders simply shift operations somewhere else.

That’s why traditional, siloed policing isn’t enough anymore. It’s not that local departments aren’t doing the work—it’s that crime no longer respects borders. And when law enforcement doesn’t collaborate, it gives criminals an edge.

Operation Unity flips that script. It removes the easy escape route. It sends a message that law enforcement in Central Ohio is no longer playing on separate teams. Every agency, every department, every resource—moving together with shared intelligence and a clear goal: to disrupt crime regionally, not just locally.

This matters now more than ever. With rising mobility, smarter tactics, and more online coordination between offenders, we can’t afford to work in isolation. Operation Unity is about levelling the playing field—and raising the stakes for anyone who thinks they can game the system by skipping town.

How Operation Unity Works

Operation Unity isn’t a one-size-fits-all tactic—it’s a strategic, behind-the-scenes operation built on data, timing, and collaboration.

Here’s how it works:

Intelligence Comes First
Each Operation Unity blitz is guided by real-time crime data, trend analysis, and regional intelligence. Agencies pool what they know—about suspects, hot spots, vehicles, patterns—and build a shared picture of where the pressure needs to be applied.
No Advance Warning
The timing and location are deliberately kept secret. Even within the departments involved, only key personnel know the full scope ahead of time. That unpredictability is critical. It removes the chance for criminals to relocate or lay low until things cool off.
All Hands on Deck
Local police departments work side-by-side with sheriff’s offices, federal agencies, state patrol, and support organizations. Resources are combined, not duplicated. Officers share communication channels, coordinate checkpoints, follow-up warrants, and proactively engage known offenders.
Focused Pressure, Wide Impact
While each operation targets specific crime trends—like gun violence, stolen vehicles, drug activity, or repeat offenders—the wider effect is deterrence. When criminals can’t predict where or when law enforcement will show up next, the risk begins to outweigh the reward.

Operation Unity doesn’t just catch people. It disrupts the routine criminals rely on. It breaks patterns, forces hesitation, and restores the upper hand to law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Real Impact, Not Just Optics

Let’s be clear: Operation Unity isn’t a PR move. It’s not about showing up for the cameras or ticking boxes on a report. It’s about results—and those results are starting to speak for themselves.

Every Operation Unity event has led to measurable outcomes:

Arrests of known offenders who were slipping through the cracks.
Recovery of stolen vehicles and illegal firearms.
Interruption of ongoing criminal activity, including drug trafficking and burglary rings.
Increased visibility in neighborhoods that needed immediate support.

But it’s not just about the numbers. The true impact lies in the shift it creates—the disruption of criminal networks that rely on law enforcement working in silos. When agencies band together and move as one, it removes the predictability that offenders rely on.

And the message is getting out. Word travels fast on the street. The more frequently these blitzes occur, the more uncertain the environment becomes for would-be offenders. That uncertainty is what keeps them from getting comfortable. It makes crime a riskier choice.

Operation Unity works because it isn’t a one-off tactic. It’s part of a broader shift in how law enforcement across Central Ohio approaches crime: collectively, strategically, and without warning.

The Role of Community and Partnerships

Operation Unity might be driven by law enforcement, but it’s built on partnerships—because keeping communities safe takes more than just badges and patrol cars.

Every blitz involves collaboration between local police departments, county sheriffs, state patrol, federal partners, and community support organizations. This isn’t just about arresting offenders—it’s about solving problems from multiple angles.

For example, during an Operation Unity event, you might see:

Social service providers on standby to offer help to vulnerable individuals.
Community leaders working with officers to identify key areas of concern.
State and federal agencies bringing tools and resources that smaller departments might not have access to.
Non-profits and outreach teams assisting with follow-up, mental health support, or housing referrals when appropriate.

This unified approach recognizes that safety isn’t just about enforcement—it’s also about prevention, intervention, and support. When these parts move together, communities feel the difference. They see not just more patrols, but more presence, more partnership, and more care.

In a time when trust in institutions can feel shaky, Operation Unity helps rebuild it—by showing what’s possible when agencies stop competing and start collaborating.

The Road Ahead in 2025

The results so far have made one thing clear: Operation Unity works. That’s why the Central Ohio Chiefs Association (COCA) is doubling down in 2025.

You can expect to see more frequent blitzes, broader coordination, and deeper partnerships across the region. COCA is committed to scaling this effort—not just maintaining it. The goal is to keep criminals guessing and keep communities confident.

Here’s what’s coming in 2025:

Increased collaboration across more jurisdictions—including smaller towns that often feel left out of regional strategies.
Better use of technology to track crime trends and coordinate faster between departments.
Expanded support networks so that enforcement is paired with prevention and intervention resources.
A stronger, unified message: No matter where you are in Central Ohio, law enforcement is working together. You can’t outrun accountability.

COCA isn’t waiting for problems to get worse. Operation Unity is about staying ahead of crime—not reacting to it after damage is done. The plan moving forward is simple: more coordination, more disruption, and more protection for the people who live and work here.

Message to Criminals

To the would-be offenders who think they can stay one step ahead by bouncing from city to city—those days are over.

Operation Unity is the new normal. Law enforcement across Central Ohio is moving together, faster and smarter than before. There’s no safe corner to hide in, no quiet suburb to slip away to. Every blitz is a reminder: we’re watching, we’re working together, and we’re not giving you room to breathe.