Pubdate: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) Copyright: 2004 The Herald-Sun Contact: http://www.herald-sun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428 Author: Eric Olson, The Herald-Sun Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) SEIZED DRUG ASSETS AID POLICE DURHAM -- The Durham Police Department plans to use property and money seized in drug raids to buy additional equipment to fight crime. The City Council approved spending $200,195 Monday night in Controlled Substance Tax Distribution Funds and Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds to replace police equipment and to improve police operations. Durham police share a percentage of the property and cash seized in drug arrests every year with the state and federal governments. That money is placed in a fund that police can use throughout the year. The police plan to use the money to buy: . Three unmarked vehicles for $45,000. The cruisers will replace three Special Operations Division cruisers with high mileage. -- A video capture/enhancement system for $22,000. The system will help refine surveillance tapes from convenience stores or banks where a crime has been committed to help police track down the culprit. . Ten radar/speed detection units for $14,000. . Eight computers and software license agreements for $18,000. Special Operations and Uniform Patrol division officers will use the computers to help fight drug- and gang-related crimes. . Equipment for the Selective Enforcement Team for $22,000. Two positions are being reassigned to the SET . the Durham Police Department's version of a SWAT team. Those two officers will be equipped with weapons and special gear. . Seventy-six hands-free cellular phone adapters for $400. The units will increase safety because supervisors will be able to drive and talk simultaneously. . Three digital cameras for $1,000. The cameras are slated for the Crime Area Target Team. . $10,000 to the Special Operations Division Covert Fund. The money is used to pay informants and to buy illegal drugs from drug dealers. . $10,000 for more training. . Equipment for new Uniform Patrol vehicles for $57,795. The cruisers are taken out of service while being outfitted with new equipment. The money will allow police to fully equip five cruisers and place them in service while other cruisers are being worked on. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake