Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jan 2006
Source: Sandusky Register,The (OH)
Copyright: 2006 The Sandusky Register
Contact:  http://www.sanduskyregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1307
Author: Tom Jackson

SHERIFF PULLS PLUG ON DRUG TASK FORCE

PERKINS TWP. - Erie County Sheriff Terry Lyons announced he's shutting
down the drug task force and then turned his attention to the county's
next big law enforcement headache -- finding about $500,000 to ship
county inmates to other jails when they won't fit in Erie County's
jail.

Voters rejected a plan in November to raise the county sales tax by
0.25 percent, which would have paid to expand the jail. Lyons said he
can't continue to keep freeing inmates and said a solution must be
found now.

"I can't keep doing that," Lyons told commissioners at Thursday's
meeting at the County Services Center, referring to his early release
program. "It's a matter of time before we release the wrong person."

Lyons said his 2007 budget, turned in months ago, sought $500,000 to
house inmates in other county jails.

That's still probably a reasonable figure, the sheriff
said.

The jail is rated to hold 106 inmates, but Lyons said he needs to find
space for at least 20 additional inmates a day. Other county jails
charge $50-60 to provide room and board, depending on the county and
the nature of the offense. If the inmate needs medical care, Erie
County has to pick up the tab for that, too.

Commissioners are scheduled to take up budget matters when they meet
Jan. 25.

The sheriff said he's proud of the job the drug task force has done.
Since 1989, it has arrested close to 3,000 people and confiscated
millions of dollars worth of drugs, he said.

But the sheriff said in the light of the vote in November and tight
budget constraints, he doesn't feel he can ask for money to keep the
task force going.

Instead, the sheriff asked for permission to accept a $43,000 grant
meant for the new task force and use it to create a new deputy sheriff
position. The deputy would concentrate on narcotics enforcement and
serving warrants, Lyons said.

Commissioners said later they would likely approve the sheriff's
request next week.

Lyons said drug investigations will continue, and that the sheriff's
office will cooperate with local police forces on drug probes.

"Maybe it's time for the task force to reinvent itself ... who knows
what may happen. We're having some good discussions on how we can work
more cooperatively," Lyons said. "I want to convey that as strongly as
I can -- drug investigations will continue."

Lyons said he'll have to ask the state if he can alter the terms of
the grant.

Lyons said he hasn't figure out the new assignment yet for Capt. Greg
Majoy, who commanded the drug task force and was the sole remaining
member after Sandusky withdrew a detective last fall.

The sheriff said he also has to dispose of task force property and
figure out how to deal with open cases.

"We don't want anything to fall through the cracks," Lyons
said.

The sheriff said he has nothing new to report about persistent reports
Gov. Ted Strickland might name him to a law enforcement job.

He opened his presentation to the commissioners saying, "First order
of business, I am still the sheriff of Erie County."

The sheriff said it's true he was in Columbus Tuesday but explained he
was attending a meeting of the state sheriffs' association.

"Not looking for a house, huh?" Commissioner Nancy McKeen asked. 
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath