Yesterday, state Attorney General Tom Corbett joined Chester County and Coatesville law enforcement officials to announce the arrests of 30 people and the beginning of a crime crackdown in a small city struggling with drug and gun violence.

"We've essentially put a dent now in the Coatesville drug trade," said Corbett, who stood next to a table littered with crack vials, marijuana and handguns.

Chester County District Attorney Joseph Carroll added, "It's not going to be business as usual anymore. So if people felt comfortable doing the drug dealing out in the open, I don't think that they should feel that way from this point forward."

"There is a reason for hope here in Coatesville," said Carroll, who recently bought a home there.

About 120 local and state police participated in Operation Clean Air, which gathered undercover video and audio surveillance for nearly two months. Yesterday, police raided at least six homes, including two in the 700 block of East Diamond Street that residents had called in to police numerous times, Coatesville Police Chief William H. Matthews said.

"This sends a message to the community that we're on top of it," he said. "What we want to do is clear the streets so that the citizens can take control of the streets and so that we can once again ask our citizens to participate in the criminal-justice system without fear."

Twenty-five people, including three unidentified juveniles, were arrested and charged with selling, using, or conspiring to sell drugs. Five others were charged with selling drug paraphernalia, including bowls and baggies, at two gas stations and a deli, police said.

Last week, City Manager Harry Walker said Coatesville was under siege. Speaking at the City Council meeting Aug. 11, he blamed increasing crime on an influx of low-income residents and called on residents to help police to fight crime.

Yesterday, Walker said the drug bust was a good start for the city of about 12,000 people.

"I'm very happy for the city," he said. "It's been a long time coming."

at 610-627-0352 or jfarrell@phillynews.com.