Pubdate: Wed, 10 Aug 2005
Source: Jonesboro Sun, The (AR)
Copyright: 2005, The Jonesboro Sun
Contact:  http://www.jonesborosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1825
Author: Michael Wilkey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TRUMANN POLICE CHIEF TOUTS DRUG CRACKDOWN

TRUMANN -- Police officers' efforts in going after drug dealers and users 
have paid off for Poinsett County, according to the Trumann police chief.

Sitting in his office Monday, Chief Larry Blagg said his department, along 
with county and state law enforcement, has worked on a series of drug 
interdiction programs in recent months that saturate an entire area and 
place the community's drug offenders on notice.

Last Thursday, with little or no advance warning, the department went to 
work on drug interdiction for a period of 8 to 9 hours. Officers were 
joined by members of the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force and the Poinsett 
County Sheriff's Department

"We do it randomly. We see where they are and we keep a check on them," 
Blagg said.

The chief said the numbers show promise.

"One year ago, we did this and had 10 contacts with five arrests. On 
Thursday, we had over 40 contacts and had only one arrest," Blagg said.

According to Blagg, laws dealing with the possession of pseudoephedrine and 
ephedrine have helped to deal with the spread of crystal methamphetamine.

"The labs have dropped tremendously, going down 70 percent," he said. "It 
is now harder for dealers to produce."

Blagg added that when police keep a high profile, it helps stop the drug trade.

"We do saturation and especially do it when the drug dealer is off guard. 
We have been visible and have kept up with the growth in Trumann. And we 
have exceeded numbers," Blagg said.

Blagg also said that drug numbers have fallen because of work done by 
officers, citizens and District Judge Steve Inboden.

"We are proud that our numbers have fallen. The drug arrests are down and 
the thefts are down. We had to do something. People have threatened to sue 
us, but we do things according to law. Inboden has been a great help to us. 
He sets higher bonds and the bonds make a point."

As for other projects, Blagg said that the police department recently 
bought eight Taser weapons. The weapons, purchased with money set aside for 
equipment, will help to reduce high-risk situations such as individuals who 
may be under the influence of illegal drugs, he said.

"It keeps the officer and person safe," Blagg said. "It is non-lethal and 
is only used when a person is ... aggressive. It has no lasting effect and 
it is a way to get the situation under control."
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