Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 Source: Savannah Morning News (GA) Copyright: 2001 Savannah Morning News Contact: http://www.savannahnow.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/401 Author: Jenel Few Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) SEIZED DRUG ASSETS FUND SCHOLARSHIPS Camden County Sheriff's Department honors fallen officers by giving $250,000 to schools. A sheriff's department is taking assets from busted drug dealers to educate law enforcement officers. In 15 years, observant deputies who patrol Interstate 95 have seized more than $14 million in drug money from traffickers who carry their illegal contraband through Camden County. In 1998 the department seized an unprecedented $3 million in one week. "I-95 is called the cocaine corridor because it runs from Miami to New York," said sheriff's department spokesman William Terrell." Sometimes we'll catch them when they say they've been on vacation for two weeks and they don't have any clothes in their car." As all that confiscated money began to pile up, Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith started coming up with creative ways to put it to use. This year the department used $250,000 to set up scholarships at Coastal Georgia Community College and Georgia Southern, Armstrong Atlantic State and Valdosta State universities. The money, which can be used for tuition, books, room and board, will be awarded to needy students with a minimum 2. 5 grade point average who are studying criminal justice and planning careers in law enforcement. "One $2,600 scholarship will be awarded each year to youth in need or at risk," said Christine Rudowise, coordinator of Georgia Southern's justice studies program. "This will help bring some diversity to our program and it will help us fulfill our mission." Georgia Southern will begin offering the scholarship during the 2002-2003 academic year. GSU's justice studies program enrolls about 290 students. The degree allows students to broaden their perspectives and understand the policies and laws they will someday have to enforce, Rudowise said. Many departments don't require their officers to hold an academic degree, but it is becoming more common as law enforcement agencies strive to be more professional, according to Terrell. Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith holds a degree from the Citadel. "We want to encourage people to pursue law enforcement careers and we also want them to pursue an education," Terrell said. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe