Pubdate: Tue, 20 Aug 2002
Source: Courier-Post (NJ)
Copyright: 2002 Courier-Post
Contact:  http://www.courierpostonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826

NEW ANTI-DRUG TACTICS CAN WORK IN SUBURBS

Camden County's new prosecutor has the right idea.

Hear the word "drugs," and you probably think of Camden. For years, people 
in South Jersey have heard that that's where the drugs are. Special 
programs there have been designed to stop the sale of drugs. State police 
have moved in to try to quell the violence.

But as we all also know, the problem of drug sales extends far beyond 
Camden's borders. That's why it's refreshing to see that Camden County 
Prosecutor Vincent Sarubbi plans to carry the fight against drugs to the 
suburbs.

A spinoff of Camden's Operation Sunburst would target high-crime areas of 
Lindenwold. While it wouldn't be an exact replica of the program, it would 
bring the same kind of intensive, broad-based approach to fighting drugs 
and crime.

Lindenwold has suffered as authorities succeeded - to some extent - in 
fighting the drug problem in Camden. Dealers found it easier to move out of 
the city and set up shop in apartments. Instead of selling in "open-air" 
drug markets, they invite their customers inside. Different tactics, but 
still a plague on a community.

And it's obvious that Lindenwold isn't the only place that could benefit 
from an intensive effort to get rid of the dealers. If Sarubbi's plans are 
successful there, they should be implemented elsewhere, too.

While the details still are not fully developed, it's believed that the 
approach will be similar to one that has worked elsewhere, including New 
York City: Crack down on the little things, the quality- of-life 
violations, that quickly can spread into more serious crimes. In other 
cities, noise ordinances were enforced vigorously, as were restrictions on 
keeping property in good shape. Abandoned cars were removed from the 
streets. Loitering and littering laws were upheld.

The approach focuses more on prevention than punishment. In general, it's 
an effort to make living in a community more enjoyable and to instill pride 
in the local residents. If the locals buy into it and work with government 
and law enforcement, they indeed can see a positive change.

Here's hoping Sarubbi's plans for Lindenwold are implemented quickly and 
meet with success. Then they should be expanded to other communities facing 
similar problems.

It's not easy fixing the drug program one broken window at a time, but, as 
many cities can attest, it can work.
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MAP posted-by: Beth