Pubdate: Tue, 29 Oct 2002
Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)
Copyright: 2002 Charleston Daily Mail
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76
Author: Kris Wise
Cited: Residents can provide anonymous tips to the State Police at 
http://www.wvstatepolice.com

TROOPER BEGINS PATROLLING EASTERN PART OF COUNTY

State Police began a new reign this week in the eastern end of the county 
to crack down on drugs, while residents of Rand are organizing a 
crime-fighting unit of their own.

Thanks to an agreement between the State Police and Metro 911, a trooper 
began patrolling the eastern part of the county Monday. It's the first time 
a trooper will be available full time to answer emergency calls in areas 
from Quincy and Cabin Creek to Mammoth and Pond Gap.

The new dispatch agreement comes after a dispute between the Kanawha County 
Commission and the Sheriff's Department about the best way to provide 
police protection in areas such as Rand, where residents and law 
enforcement officials say drug-related crime is on the rise.

The sheriff's department has asked for 10 new deputies, which would amount 
to at least $400,000 in county funds.

Commissioners first want the sheriff's department to take advantage of 
partnerships with the Metro Drug Unit and the State Police. The county's 
911 system had stopped dispatching emergency calls to the State Police in 
January, and the sheriff ended participation with the Metro Drug Unit in 
May, citing a personnel shortage.

The commission has asked for a deputy to be reassigned immediately to the 
drug unit and is coordinating with State Police to add a trooper to the 
task force.

State Police Lt. Bob Richards said the effectiveness of any new officers in 
the Rand area would depend on input from residents who see crime in their 
backyards and on their street corners.

"We are trying to increase our presence in the area . . . and we're trying 
to increase our response time as far as taking calls," Richards said. "But 
if anyone has drug information or criminal information, that's going to be 
helpful."

Residents in the community have been hesitant to come forward with 
information about drug deals and drug-related crime because they fear 
retaliation, said Don Hedrick, a lifelong resident of Rand and the new 
president of the Community of Rand Association.

Hedrick's group, which has more than 40 members, now is working with the 
Kanawha County Sheriff's Department to organize a Neighborhood Watch group 
in the area. The first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7 at the Rand 
Community Center.

Members are hoping the group and the State Police trooper's presence will 
stimulate community involvement and provide a link between law enforcement 
officials and residents.

Richards said the State Police offers an anonymous tip line on its Web site 
where residents can provide information about crimes without revealing 
their identity or address.

Hedrick said he's not sure if all law enforcement agencies are "on the same 
page" when it comes to assigning more police protection to Rand. He thinks 
his community is caught in the midst of a territorial dispute that 
ultimately affects the safety of residents.

"I grew up here . . . I've raised two boys here," Hedrick said. "At one 
time, I never thought a thing about it if they weren't home after dark. If 
I had kids now, I don't know what I would do. I wouldn't feel safe letting 
them out in the day."

Richards said the State Police has been getting more calls about speeding 
in Rand. Those complaints increased about two weeks ago after a hit-and-run 
left one Rand woman dead.

The number of complaints about the openness of drug dealers in the area has 
increased over the past year.

The police last week also began towing abandoned vehicles that give the 
appearance people "aren't paying attention" to the community, troopers said.

Residents can provide anonymous tips to the State Police at 
www.wvstatepolice.com.
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