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COUNTY'S CRIME RATE UP SLIGHTLY

Drug Activity Down

SHELBY -- The county's crime rate is up 3 percent for the first eight months of 2006 compared to the same time frame last year, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.

However, reported drug activity -- which many in law enforcement credit as the root of many property and violent crimes -- has fallen 53 percent.

Chief Deputy Danny Gordon called drug activity the "primary root of all our crime" and praised what he referred to as an overworked narcotics division and ICE Team for a "commendable job" finding and arresting drug offenders in the county.  He said the majority of break-ins, larcenies and violent crimes in the county are drug related, where addicts steal items or rob residents to feed their habit.

Lt.  Joel Shores, of the sheriff's narcotics division, agreed with Gordon's assessment.

"I would say at least 85 percent of the larcenies ( in the county ) are related to drugs in some way, shape and form," Shores said.

He said the drug activity has slowed due to a recent federal conspiracy case and a state law passed earlier this year restricting the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, two main ingredients used to produce methamphetamine.  He also praised the county's partnership with the Shelby Police Department.

"Chief Carter and his staff have done a tremendous job," Shores said.  "Working together is the key to eliminate this problem."