Pubdate: Tue, 27 Apr 2004
Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC)
Copyright: 2004, The Sampson Independent
Contact:  http://www.clintonnc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704

GETTING INVOLVED MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Getting involved isn't always easy, particularly when getting involved 
means reporting a suspected crime. For generations, most people have opted 
to turn their heads, preferring to let someone else handle situations that 
seem a bit too risky for their taste. But as clandestine drug activity 
continues to grow, and the perils of those activities become more 
prevalent, and to more innocent people, it's time to rethink the old 
feeling that it's better not to get involved. Last week, between a seminar 
held at Sampson Community College to alert business and community leaders 
to the dangers of methamphetamine labs and the terrible addictions that 
come from the drug's use, people's eyes have been opened to the need to be 
more aware and certainly more involved.

And it's already paying off.

Late last week, it was reported that because of a citizen's tip, officers 
were able to dismantle a meth lab.

According to law enforcement reports, a citizen in the Green Path Road area 
of Sampson County was alerted to what they viewed as suspicious activity 
and alerted authorities.

It was a good call on the part of the citizen.

That call led officers to a clandestine mobile meth lab, a vehicle that was 
being used for the manufacture of the highly addictive drug.

It was that call that made the difference.

It was that person, willing to go the extra mile that helped officers take 
one more lab out of business.

There are other labs, dozens of them, we suspect, right here in our 
county,. and officers suspect there are others in the Green Path Road area. 
But they can't find them alone.

Meth labs can be just about anywhere - in hotel rooms, apartments, storage 
sheds and cars.

For that reason, it takes residents who know the neighborhoods and who 
understand when something out of the ordinary is taking place, to alert 
officers to the activity.

It means getting involved.

We applaud this anonymous citizen who came forward with information that 
shut down a lab in the northern part of our county.

That person's willingness to step out boldly made a difference and, quite 
frankly, could have saved lives. Meth labs are dangerous and can easily 
harm innocent people unaware of their existence.

We hope other residents will take this citizen's lead and, when necessary, 
get involved in what's happening in their communities.

By doing so, they can take back their communities from the illegal 
activities that often go on and go unreported.

It's time to get involved. We urge residents to do just that.

(c)The Sampson Independent 2004
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart