Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jan 2005
Source: St. Joseph News-Press (MO)
Copyright: 2005 The News-Press, St. Joseph, Missouri
Contact:  http://www.stjoenews-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1510
Author: Alyson E. Raletz

STREET CRIME TACKLED BY UNIT

Group Focuses on Short-Term Drug Problems in Town

Nearly six months after the St. Joseph Police Department pulled its
officers out of the Drug Strike Force, Chief Mike Hirter has no regrets.

In July, city police formed a Street Crimes Unit to help combat
neighborhood crime.

At the beginning of August, Mr. Hirter announced the unit needed more
resources and personnel -- the justification he cited when explaining
the city's retreat from the county drug unit.

"I'm very pleased with the way things are working out," he said.
"They're working close with Drug Strike Force They don't get into
long-term drug investigations. If they run across a street-level
problem, they'll work it."

Cmdr. Charlie Robison, of the patrol division, oversees the unit,
while Sgt. Jeff Wilson supervises daily operations. Officers Steve
McClintick and Shane Luikart also make up the unit.

"There's a perception that there's a war between us and the Strike
Force -- that's not it," Mr. Robison said. "We pulled out because
their missions are different. The SCU deals with immediate,
street-level problems.

Mr. Wilson said officers forward information to the Strike Force on a
daily basis.

"There's a definite market for narcotics in St. Joe," he said. "More
crimes come about because of that."

Mr. Robison added, "We found violent crime picking up in St. Joseph.
There was a perception people could come here and get away with
violent crime. We needed to address that."

The unit picks up where patrol officers leave off and it also informs
detectives of any long-term activity that exceeds the resources of the
unit, Mr. Wilson explained.

If the unit is able to pinpoint areas of town that need assistance, it
will, he said.

That's already happened in the Cathedral Hill area.

"There was a definite problem there," Mr. Wilson said. "Neighbors were
unhappy with the drugs, the larceny, the fighting."

The unit involved officers from other units, began making traffic
stops and eventually calmed the neighborhood down, he said.

Mr. Wilson formerly served on a similar street unit in 1996 and 1997
for the Police Department, but the unit ceased operations under the
leadership of a new police chief, he said.

"It's surprising how many people remember the old unit when we talk
with people on the streets," he said. "The criminal element in town is
very aware that there's a Street Crimes Unit. We're pretty visible."

After six months on the unit, Mr. Wilson has made a number of
observations.

The amount of people carrying firearms in St. Joseph concerns him. The
amount of people using firearms to threaten neighbors concerns him
more.

The unit has made at least three separate weapons arrests, he
said.

Also, the amount of prescription drugs changing hands illegally occurs
more often than he anticipated.

He also noted, "There is gang behavior here."

Once the seasons change, Mr. Wilson said it is imperative the unit has
more personnel.

Ideally, Mr. Robison said he would like it to be a five-officer unit.
Within two months, he said the department will try to add two officers.

"There's so much for them to do right now, they're a little
overwhelmed," Mr. Robison said.

Mr. Hirter said he is pleased with the results of the unit, but
admitted that its overall direction needs to be evaluated.

Its first formal review likely will occur in July or August. 
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