Using Synthetic Skunk Oil, Police Roust Criminals From Buildings The same stinky stuff used in New Zealand to keep dogs from pooping in and tearing up gardens is helping curb crime in Richmond. City police are using Skunk Shot, a tiny tube of smelly gel that spreads skunklike fumes through an entire building, to keep drug dealers, prostitutes and vagrants from doing their dirty work in abandoned houses and commercial buildings. The potent, smelly gel seems to be working. Skunk Shot is a mixture of synthetic skunk oil and petrolatum. Officers puncture the tube and spread the gel inside abandoned buildings. [continues 350 words]
City Juvenile Drug Court Helps Offenders Help Themselves Fabian Dixon rubs his palm around and around, feeling his close-cropped hair and thinking about the rest of the day. He needs a haircut. And a job. And a place to live. The Salvation Army is fine for a few days but not for long term. He needs to buy a birthday present for his baby girl, Ayana. She'll be 1 soon. And he needs to stay away from the weed and pills. [continues 1930 words]
Since its inception in 1999, 82 teenagers have gone through Richmond's juvenile drug court. Only 21 have graduated - they stayed in the program for at least five months, remained clean for 60 consecutive days, stayed out of trouble, attended school and paid all court costs. But graduates aren't the only success stories. The kids learn coping skills that help them deal with tricky situations without turning to drugs or violence. They make real connections with people who care about them, sometimes for the first time in their lives. [continues 331 words]
Details Still Being Worked Out, But Troopers Will Focus On Arrests For Guns, Drugs Richmond is reaching out for help from the Virginia State Police as the city's homicide rate continues to climb. "We're being asked to come on board because of the homicide frequency at this particular time," said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, state police superintendent. "We're here to help curb violent crime in Richmond. This is another tool that the city wants to use." City Council members heard the news during a closed-door meeting on Monday. [continues 685 words]
More than a third came at year's end The average homicide victim in Richmond last year was a 30-year-old black man shot during a drug dispute, according to city police statistics. More than 60 percent of the city's homicides last year were drug-related, with crack cocaine being the No. 1 drug involved and heroin running a close second. Most of the killings - 79 of 84 - were committed with a firearm. Most of the victims - 74 of 84 - were male. [continues 406 words]
Jocks have been scrutinized for drug use. But clarinet players? Latin club members? Some local teachers and parents think it's a great idea. They support the Tecumseh, Okla., school authorities who have gone to the U.S. Supreme Court with their fight to administer mandatory random drug tests to students involved in certain extracurricular activities. The court heard arguments Tuesday. Observers said the justices were divided but appeared to lean toward approval of the testing. Drug testing is fine with Allen Hall, director of bands at Tucker High School in Henrico County. He enforces a zero-tolerance policy among his musicians. [continues 556 words]
