Pubdate: Sat, 02 Apr 2005
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2005 Duluth News-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthtribune/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553
Author: Shelley Nelson, News- Tribune staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TWIN PORT POLICE FORCES BOOST ANTIDRUG EFFORTS

Lake Superior Drug Task Force Forges Full-Time Ties To Fight Twin Ports
Trafficking

Police officers from Duluth, Hermantown and Superior are joining
forces to fight a growing drug problem in the Twin Ports.

The Lake Superior Drug Task Force is changing its structure, adding
Superior and Hermantown as members. Each city will devote one
full-time officer to the task force, which will be based in Duluth
City Hall.

"A unique aspect of this task force is we have joint jurisdiction,"
said Duluth Police Chief Roger Waller. Officers from Wisconsin or
Minnesota will have jurisdiction on both sides of the state line.

"It's very advantageous, because drug traffickers and gang members
don't recognize borders," Waller said at a news conference to announce
the restructured task force. He was joined by Superior and Hermantown
police chiefs as well as the mayors of all three cities.

The task force will be headed by Duluth Sgt. Scott Jenkins, a
seven-year veteran of the Minnesota Gang Strike Force.

"Now, more than probably ever in the history of the Twin Ports, we as
law enforcement officers and agencies realize the importance of being
able to pool our resources," Jenkins said.

Each city will pay for its own officers and equipment. An $87,000
federal Bryne grant for drug enforcement will cover task force expenses.

The ability to work together will allow police to use these resources
more effectively, Jenkins said.

"From drug problems come property crimes and crimes of violence and
financial crimes," Superior Police Chief Floyd Peters said. "We
together as communities in this region have got to work together. It's
affecting all aspects of our communities.

"We work more closely now with the Duluth Police Department than we
have in my career with the Superior Police Department," Peters said.

"We are facing an epidemic of drugs entering the Twin Ports," Waller
said. "We're seeing more methamphetamine than we've ever seen in the
past. As many of you know, methamphetamine is the current drug of choice.

"Just since the first of the year, we've seized several pounds of meth
from a number of drug dealers," Waller said. "We know these dealers
are responsible for a much larger amount than we've seized," Waller
said.

Joint efforts between Duluth and Superior are not new. Last year,
Superior joined forces with Duluth and other Minnesota communities in
the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin