Pubdate: Thu, 23 Aug 2001
Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)
Copyright: 2001 Charleston Daily Mail
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76
Author: Chris Stirewalt, Daily Mail Staff

LAW ENFORCEMENT PLAN SUITS CITY

Federal Priorities In Line With City's Needs, Officials Say

Wednesday August 22, 2001; 10:30 AM The law enforcement priorities of the 
Bush Administration and new Attorney General John Ashcroft are well suited 
to fighting crime in Charleston and Southern West Virginia, local 
authorities say.

In position papers, speeches and budgetary requests, the president and the 
attorney general have pinpointed three areas of criminal activity they 
would like to take on: gun law violations, drugs and domestic violence.

"Those are absolutely tremendous areas for any metropolitan area, and 
tremendous areas for Charleston," Charleston Police Chief Jerry Riffe said. 
"If that's the direction they're heading, then we'll be on board." The 
federal priorities in law enforcement have a significant trickle-down 
effect on local agencies. Primarily by providing funding and grants, 
federal authorities can have a big impact on where police direct resources.

But the face for the Bush justice department in this area will be the new 
U.S. attorney for the southern half of the state. The person most likely to 
take that job, Col. Kasey Warner, will probably not be in the post for a 
few weeks. Warner, who is awaiting confirmation, will have his work cut out 
for him.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., says that the confirmation process will 
continue for Warner, a West Virginia native and career army lawyer, when 
the Senate reconvenes next month. She said the background check has been 
completed on Warner, who Bush tapped for the job earlier this summer, 
clearing the way for a vote on his appointment.

Capito said that when Warner shows up for work he will find a justice 
department in tune with the needs of the area.

"Illegal use of prescription drugs is one of the biggest problems facing 
West Virginia, and fortunately it is a top priority for the 
administration," Capito said. "Especially with Oxycontin and other powerful 
pain killers, the push is on to stop trafficking and illegal distribution."

Capito recently met with new Drug Enforcement Administration boss Asa 
Hutchinson, and discussed the problem as it relates to the Bush 
administration's new focus on battling drugs. The response, she said, was 
heartening.

"He made clear that not only were they aware of the problem, but that they 
were willing to commit resources to fight it," Capito said.

In the area of guns, Bush and Ashcroft have made clear that they believe 
the best way to protect the rights of law abiding gun owners is to come 
down hard on those who violate existing gun laws.

"Guns and drugs have a huge overlap," Riffe said. "Getting guns away from 
criminals is a key element to put a stop to the bloodshed that we have seen 
in the area of drugs."

Federal prosecutors have long made a practice of seeking tough sentences 
against felons found in possession of firearms and enhanced penalties in 
drug cases involving guns. West Virginia, which has a high percentage of 
gun owners, has proved fertile ground for such prosecutions.

"I think that's a well-placed priority. Responsible gun owners don't mind 
having the laws enforced, because they know that guns don't belong in the 
hands of criminals," Capito said.

The focus on domestic violence also overlaps with guns. According to 
federal law, anyone who has been under a permanent domestic violence 
protective order in a local court may not own or possess a gun. Federal 
prosecutors make frequent use of that law already, and may do so even more 
often under the Bush administration.

The new priorities may mean more money for local groups working against 
domestic violence. Ashcroft wants to put more money aside for grants and 
other federal assistance for local groups.

Riffe said that the administration's decision to take money away from the 
COPS program, an effort designed to put more officers on the streets that 
former President Bill Clinton made the heart of his anti-crime initiative, 
fits well for Charleston. Bush wants to divert the money into technology, 
training and other measures to better equip existing officers.

"We're downsizing, so that's tailor-made for us." Riffe said. "We are 
trying to make a push in technology and equipment, so we'll take every 
penny we can get."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager