Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 Source: Winchester Star, The (VA) Copyright: 2003 by The Winchester Star Contact: http://www.winchesterstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1986 Author: Stephanie M. Mangino POLICE TO STEP UP DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN WINCHESTER City to Team with Virginia State Police as Part of Continuing Effort to Crack Down on Illegal Drug Trade The Winchester Police Department will step up its drug enforcement efforts "soon," according to Chief Gary W. Reynolds. Reynolds would not specify exactly when the extra work will begin, but a press release provided to City Council's Community Safety and Services Committee on Monday states that four Virginia State Police troopers, three K-9 troopers, and a state special agent will assist in the task starting sometime this month. The increased police attention on drug traffic is part of a larger joint WPD and Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force operation that started in April 2002 and led to 18 drug arrests last fall, the release states. This new part of the initiative will include undercover officers and greater marked police presence, said Reynolds and the effort's coordinator, WPD Sgt. J.M. Danielson. The initiative represents a bit of a change from enforcement targeting drug dealers, Reynolds said. "We're now shifting the focus toward buyers as well as dealers." Reynolds said the Winchester operation will be similar to those instituted in Richmond and Newport News. While Winchester is smaller than both, Reynolds said the city has a drug problem just like that of many cities, and, while not a metro area itself, Winchester sits at the outside of the Washington-Baltimore metro area, is close to two different states, and lies along a major interstate highway. Most areas Winchester's size or larger have similar drug problems, Reynolds said. "We just happen to be taking a more pro-active stance." The WPD scored 363 drug arrests in 2002, the press release states, and in 2003, has averaged 31 drug arrests each month. The drugs passing hands in Winchester come in all varieties, said Danielson, including marijuana, crack cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. "Everything's here, unfortunately," he said. "The intent of this initiative is to send a clear message that Winchester is not the place to buy and sell drugs," the release states. Reynolds said a good analogy for the philosophy behind the effort is that of a driver who slows down when a state trooper is nearby, but speeds up when the trooper passes. In terms of drug enforcement, Reynolds said, people may keep an eye out for marked police cars, but let their guard down after the police presence leaves, not knowing there may be some undercover officers in their midst. The effort includes not just the WPD and state police, but also the Winchester Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and assistance from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. Reynolds would only say the state police compliment would be in Winchester for "a while." But, he added, "This is not a one weekend type of operation." - --- MAP posted-by: Josh