Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
Source: Tri-City Herald (WA)
Copyright: 2002 Tri-City Herald
Contact:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/459

OREGON AGENCIES MUST COOPERATE ON DRUG FIGHT

Umatilla Sheriff John Trumbo Was Right To Put A Deputy Back On The Blue 
Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team.

Drugs, especially methamphetamine, are a persistent problem in our region - 
and law enforcement should work together to keep it in check. The 
multi-agency drug-fighting task force has been making some headway. In 
2000, the team was recognized by the Western States Information Network as 
the top drug task force in the Northwest. In Oregon, its 670 arrests that 
year were second only to the task force in the state's most populous 
Multnomah County.

Faced with budget problems and deputy turnover last year, Trumbo found his 
patrol staff short-handed and withdrew his agency's narcotics team 
representative.

Last month, Hermiston Police Chief Dan Coulombe, facing similar budget 
difficulties, made the same decision. He believed he needed his narcotics 
team officer, who was working out of Pendleton, back working within 
Hermiston city limits.

The decision was controversial, particularly because so many - as much as 
80 percent - of the narcotics team's drug cases originate in the Hermiston 
area, said Mike Davis, an Oregon State Police investigator on the task 
force. Davis said without Hermiston's participation, the team would have to 
focus its energies on the other jurisdictions that do participate.

The narcotics team comprises the OSP, Morrow County Sheriff's Department, 
the Pendleton and Milton-Freewater police departments and, now with 
Trumbo's reconsideration, the Umatilla County Sheriff's Department.

With a flagging economy and cuts in state and federal budget allocations, 
local law enforcement agencies are being squeezed along with other agencies 
and departments.

That leaves law enforcement administrators such as Trumbo and Coulombe with 
the tough job of doing more with less. And that challenge is exacerbated by 
the growing prevalence of illicit methamphetamine production.

Trumbo has decided his agency needs to be part of the Blue Mountain 
Enforcement Narcotics Team. So far, Hermiston officials appear to be 
committed to their decision not to be.

Still, Hermiston police officials and the narcotics team members should be 
innovative in finding ways to continue to collaborate toward the goal of 
curbing the drug problem in Northeastern Oregon.

It's not likely to go away, especially without concerted and vigilant 
attention from law enforcement.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart