Pubdate: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 Source: Jonesboro Sun, The (AR) Copyright: 2002, The Jonesboro Sun Contact: http://www.jonesborosun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1825 Authors: Rudy Ring, Jamie Martin, and David Lange IN ELECTION YEAR RUMORS PERSIST Every election year a rumor starts circulating about a candidate running for office. This year is no exception. However, this year like a bad penny the rumors concerning Sheriff Dan Langston and his staff continue to surface. By now everyone knows that the sheriff's home was not raided by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the state police. The latest rumor involves a drug bust in Memphis or Little Rock, depending on who you hear it from. Once again this rumor is exactly that -- a rumor. Stopping rumors can be compared to stopping a runaway train. The only way to stop this is to verify the rumors by calling the agency that has been associated with the rumor. We encourage all Greene County citizens to call. The Greene County Sheriff's Department has and continues to make numerous arrests of individuals involved in the drug traffic within Greene County. As of Sept. 11, 244 felony arrests have been made. In 2001, 330 felony arrests were made. In 1996, 106 felony arrests were made. Ten years ago, in 1992, 107 felony arrests were made. We still have a lot of work to do. The Sheriff's Department suffered the largest cut during the 2002 budget. We lost two full-time officers and the loss of funds in other areas, including vehicle repair and fuel. Even with this loss, we are continuing to work to remove the drug dealers off the street. Since taking office in January 1997, Sheriff Langston and his staff have made 1,483 felony arrests. Some of the people involved in these arrests might be involved in contributing to the rumor mill. Sheriff Langston has not been arrested, raided, busted or anything related to what the rumors state. All we ask is that you verify what you repeat. Support your local law enforcement. Assist the Sheriff's Department and Police Department. Rudy Ring Chief deputy Jamie Martin CID captain David Lange Jail administrator - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom