Pubdate: Fri, 30 Dec 2005
Source: Daily Home, The (Talladega,  AL)
Copyright: 2005 Consolidated Publishing
Contact:  http://www.dailyhome.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1632
Author: David Atchison, staff writer
Note:  also listed as contact
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)

DRUG DEALERS, USERS BEWARE

PELL CITY - Things could heat up by the end of next week for drug
users and dealers in the area.

Two Chevrolet Tahoe's equipped with drug dogs and handlers should be
working the streets next week.

"We hope to be in business next week," Police Chief Greg Turley said.
"All the thanks for this program go to the mayor and council."

The mayor and council approved the purchase of the Tahoe's, which are
slotted for drug interdiction efforts by the Police Department.

The Police Department's new drug interdiction program is called ACE,
or Aggressive Criminal Enforcement program.

"If you have a drug problem, you need to start looking for a
rehabilitation program or another place to live," Turley warned.

He said police officers Greg Surles and Richard Woods will start
patrolling the streets with their multi-purpose drug dogs Brando and
Xeno.

While most police departments are lucky to have one drug dog and
handler on the roster, Pell City will have two.

"We're very fortunate to have two canine handlers," Turley said. "This
entire program is the brainchild of these two officers. . They are
spearheading a full-court press to attack the drug problem in our
communities."

He said the dogs and handlers are ready to go, it is just a matter of
getting the vehicles ready.

"Once we get the striping, emergency lights and cages installed, the
Tahoe's are going to look really sharp," said Lt. Don Newton, public
information officer for the Police Department.

Newton said the department's drug dogs are currently used on a limited
basis because of the logistics of transporting them, but that will
change soon.

"Having two dogs gives us 24 hour coverage," Turley
added.

There could also be drug interdiction efforts along Interstate 20 in
Pell City.

"They will work federal, state and local roads," Turley said. "Drugs
don't just run down the interstate."

Newton said residents will see a lot of in-town drug interdiction
efforts.

"They will move around the city - hot spots," Newton said. "So they
will move around quite a bit. You may see them in one part of the city
one day, and another part of the city the next.

Turley said the ACE program will allow the Police Department to tackle
the drug problem in the city more effectively.

"Finally, all the pieces have come together," he said.

He said the dogs will not only track down drugs, but track down
people.

Turley said the dogs can track lost people or suspects trying to elude
authorities.

"When we get started on this, I think you'll see a drop in thefts,
burglaries, drug overdoses and those kinds of things that go along
with narcotics," Turley said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin