Pubdate: Sat, 02 Apr 2005 Source: Charleston Gazette (WV) Copyright: 2005 Charleston Gazette Contact: http://www.wvgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/77 Note: Letters from the newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) OFF TO A GOOD START When Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford took office, he could have immediately ordered all new stationery and thrown out perfectly good forms and envelopes with the old sheriff's name on them. But he didn't. His office used old envelopes and forms wherever possible to save money and to avoid wasting them. So far, Rutherford has shown the same kind of good sense and professionalism on even bigger issues: About a month ago, the department established a new tip line (357-4693) to report drug activity, particularly any information about methamphetamine labs. In less than a month, the department received 450 calls that led to the arrest of 29 people. The crackdown on meth labs is having a salutary effect. Deputies have discovered several sites where people dumped their meth-making supplies, presumably out of fear of getting caught. In January, Rutherford sent about 20 deputies out to make a dent in a backlog of about 5,000 unserved warrants. The deputies targeted people who were wanted for the most serious charges, such as kidnapping, malicious wounding or attempted murder. They arrested about 34 people. Much of the backlog consists of warrants for people who failed to show up in court. To better keep up with no-shows, the Sheriff's Department sought the cooperation of the prosecutor's office and circuit judges. A deputy is on hand in the courthouse. If a suspect does not show up for court, the prosecutor's office is ready with the appropriate paperwork so that a judge can order the suspect's arrest right away. In one instance, an Alum Creek man was in jail just 2 1/2 hours after he failed to appear in court, Rutherford said. In the past, it could take a week or two between the time the judge spoke the order and the time deputies received the warrant. Rutherford has pulled four of the department's canine units off the road because neither the dogs nor the officers had been trained as police dog units. The department can definitely use that many dogs, he said, but they must be properly trained to be effective and safe. He expects them to return to the patrol in a few weeks. He has filled longstanding vacancies and replaced some administrative positions with deputies. The result is that the county's police force on the road and in communities has increased from 33 to 45, and should reach 50 by late summer. He moved community policing officers out of Charleston and into surrounding communities where they are most needed. By late summer, he hopes to add a night shift of detectives to speed up investigations and make them more successful. And if a citizen walks in or calls to ask to see the revenues and expenses of the department's pistol permit fund, or any other public records, they get no hassles. Rutherford, a longtime deputy, was a promising candidate for sheriff. It is pleasing to see that so far, at least, he is turning out to be sensible and responsible, and making good on his campaign promises. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin