Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jan 2006
Source: Palestine Herald Press (TX)
Copyright: 2006, The Palestine Herald Press.
Contact:  http://www.palestineherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2487
Author: Paul Stone, Associate Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/federal+byrne+grant

AREA LAW AUTHORITIES PLAN DRUG WAR STRATEGY

Funding To Expire For Drug Task Force

Due to changes in the federal funding structure, Anderson County, the
City of Palestine and others throughout the state are in the process
of developing a new strategy in waging the war on drugs.

As of March 31, the federal Byrne Grant which has been the primary
source of funding for the Dogwood Trails Narcotics Task Force expires.
Participants in the multi-jurisdictional task force include Anderson
County; City of Palestine; Houston County; and Cherokee County.

While the participating city and county entities have historically
contributed either an officer's salary or cash, the Dogwood Trails
Narcotics Task Force has been chiefly funded through the Byrne Grant.
Although the federal share has steadily dwindled in recent years, the
local task force received a total of $565,901 during its 2004-05
fiscal year, with $416,483 coming from the Byrne Grant and the
remainder from local sources.

Federal monies previously earmarked for drug task forces throughout
the country are now being funneled into programs designed to combat
terrorism, according to persons familiar with the process, so Anderson
County is not alone in the cutbacks.

The effect of that shift in philosophy at the federal level is that
rural law enforcement agencies such as the Anderson County Sheriff's
Office and the Palestine Police Department are now forced to either
seek new methods of funding or reduce their efforts in fighting the
trafficking of illegal narcotics.

"I understand from a national standpoint for the security of our
country," Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said of the federal
shift. "I think they're going to find in the rural areas like East
Texas that drug dealers are our terrorists."

Still, Taylor said drug dealers and concerned, law-abiding citizens
alike can rest assured of at least one thing. Local law enforcement
authorities will continue to commit financial and human resources to
wage the war on drugs.

"I don't consider it a victory for them (drug dealers)," Taylor said.
"We will adapt and overcome. It's not the end of narcotics enforcement
by any stretch of the imagination.

"The Byrne Grant no longer exists to fund narcotics task forces
solely," the sheriff continued. "The money is being funneled into JAG
(Justice Assistance Grant program). There is money available to apply
for. We're a little unclear of exactly how much narcotics funding
there will be."

Taylor, however, did concede those monies would be far less than what
has been available through the Byrne Grant.

The sheriff made it clear Anderson County and the City of Palestine
remain "committed" to providing resources to fund some type of
narcotics task force. At what level that task force will operate is a
question that only time will answer.

Currently, Anderson County and the City of Palestine both fund the
salary of an officer dedicated to the Dogwood Trails Narcotics Task
Force. Taylor said he and Palestine Police Chief Chuck Edge will
likely approach the Anderson County commissioners' court and Palestine
City Council respectively in the coming months, requesting additional
funds possibly to pay for the salary of a second officer.

The salary and benefits of a full-time officer will cost an additional
$40,000-to-$45,000, according to the sheriff.

Some of the other participating entities, such as Cherokee County
which currently contributes a total of $20,000 to the task force,
could also possibly increase their commitment.

"Our first goal is to have a multi-jurisdictional task force (two or
more counties) like we do now," Taylor said. "The difference will be
there will be no (federal) funding."

The Palestine office of the Dogwood Trails Narcotics Task Force houses
eight officers and two administrative assistants, according to Taylor.
In all likelihood, the two support positions are gone come March 31,
he added.

"It's unfortunate that anyone isn't retained," Taylor said. "We're
going to do everything we can to retain as many as possible."

It may be later in the year before the immediate future of a narcotics
task force including Anderson County becomes entirely clear. Taylor,
however, said the show must go on because the stakes are too high.

"We're going to continue to pursue the drug dealers no matter what
funding we get," Taylor said. "We must. There will always be narcotics
enforcement in Anderson County and the City of Palestine regardless of
the funding.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin