Pubdate: Tue, 20 Feb 2007
Source: Daily Gazette (Sterling, IL)
Copyright: 2007 Sauk Valley Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.saukvalley.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3247

GIVE POLICE MORE HELP IN DRUG FIGHT

The first reaction for anyone reading "The Cocaine Epidemic" package 
in Sunday's paper should be alarm. Profound, unsettling alarm. 
Mounting cocaine arrests across the region during the past year 
testify to the epidemic's pervasive nature. Rising crime committed 
against businesses and private property hits home for many. Worst of 
all, violence spawned by drugs and gangs is increasing. Two homicides 
in Rock Falls appear to fit the mold.

However, it's the second reaction to this news that is more important.

Will it be one of casual indifference, as readers or community 
leaders shake their heads at the enormity of the problem, then forget 
about it and move on?

Or will it be a clarion call for action to help rid the Sauk Valley 
of this drug-induced plague?

Clearly, something must be done to increase our region's chances 
against drug dealers. What should it be?

An underlying theme of Sunday's stories appears to be this: If police 
had more help, they could do a better job battling the cocaine 
epidemic. Some police say they've never seen so much drug activity. 
Agencies have had to redeploy officers from other areas to take on 
burgeoning drug traffickers and users, leaving important police work 
on the back burner.

We pose this question:

Are the taxpayers, through their elected governments, willing to send 
our police some much-needed reinforcements?

If so, the time to advocate for more officers is now.

Hiring and training more police officers takes money. The commitment 
to spend additional money must be made by city councils, county 
boards and the Illinois General Assembly through their annual budgets.

Coincidentally, local city council members and legislators are 
approaching or have already started their preliminary budgetary 
processes for upcoming fiscal years. Many cities begin their new year 
on May 1, while the state's fiscal year starts July 1. Counties, by 
the way, begin their fiscal year Dec. 1.

Citizens should ask elected officials whether their local police 
departments have enough officers to be effective against the rising 
volume of illegal drugs. If not, they should advocate for more money 
for these hard-pressed departments.

State's Attorney Gary Spencer noted in a report to the Whiteside 
County Board that police officers can't solve the problem themselves.

"Law enforcement is like the little Dutch boy with his finger in the 
dike against this tide of illegal drugs coming into our area. ... 
Everyone in our schools, health facilities, governmental and private 
agencies needs to work together to address this epidemic," Spencer said.

This is true. However, while other agencies deal in prevention, 
hiring more police officers would go a long way toward effecting a 
cure. If law enforcement officers can keep arresting drug dealers and 
sending them to prison, sooner or later they'll stay away.

This is a surge few can argue against - except the lawbreakers themselves.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman