Here’s a look at the highlights from the July 2009 monthly reports submitted by Tacoma police sector and specialty unit commanders. The reports have been posted on the Tacoma Police Department’s Web site.

Sector 1: Officers seized 116 marijuana plants after serving a drug warrant on an abandoned building in the 2500 block of Tacoma Avenue South. Members of the department’s HEAT team found a grow operation in three rooms of the building, which was then boarded up by code inspectors.

A man told officers he had been robbed as gunpoint in the 1000 block of South 14th Street during a prostitution scam.

Sector commanders spent time working on the Wright Park and 600 South G Street areas, which have seen high levels of drug and prostitution activity lately. Ferry Park and the 1400 block of South Sheridan Avenue also have had increased activity and thus police presence.

The sector’s CLOs boarded up nine homes and impounded four abandoned autos during the month.

Sector 2: A suspected burglar was shot by the occupant of an apartment in the 5600 block of North 37th Street. The shooting occurred early in the burglary. The victim was seriously injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Sector 3: After a serious-injuring shooting in the 6700 block of South Monroe Street, Tacoma police officers worked with concerned neighbors, the Tacoma Housing Authority, Safe Streets and Crime-Free Housing to quell the situation. They began evictions on several occupants of the housing unit.

“Currently, the problems have been resolved and all the problem tenants have been removed,” the monthly report states.

The sector CLOs closed 10 drug/gang houses and impounded 10 abandoned automobiles during the month.

Sector 4: The community liaison officers continue to work on prostitution issues along Pacific and Portland avenues. Officers have stepped up their patrols and monthly emphasis missions along the stretches.

During July, TPD stepped up its presence on the East Side because of a gang-motivated homicide and a handful of drive by shooting. There were 68 arrests and four gang houses were shut down during the special emphasis.

Gang unit: The unit arrested 45 people on 76 charges during the month of July. Twenty-nine of those arrested are gang members or have gang ties. Nine of them were active DOC offenders.

The gang officers recovered three guns and three stolen vehicles. They also seized $2,579 in cash, 29 grams of crack cocaine and 75.1 grams of marijuana.

Traffic unit: The traffic officers wrote 1,398 tickets and citations during the month. The drivers in Sector 2 received the most, with 430 tickets. There were no DUI arrests during the month.

Officers issued 2,230 violations from the city’s nine red light cameras.

K-9 unit: The police dogs conducted 24 tracks and 14 building searches. They made five felony arrests and found evidence in one incident. They assisted with the arrests of 18 other people.