Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Copyright: 2007 Star Tribune Contact: http://www.startribunecompany.com/143 Website: http://www.startribune.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266 NOTE TO DRUG DEALERS: ENOUGH Collaboration Was Key in Curbing St. Paul Drug Dealing. Chalk up one for the good guys. Thanks to a recent police sweep against drug dealers, downtown St. Paul will be a more civil, pleasant place. After a three-month investigation called Operation Shamrock, officers fanned out last week to arrest 100 people charged with drug dealing. More than 30 were picked up right away, and arrest warrants were issued for the others. Law enforcers responded to an increase of open-air drug sales, fighting, mugging and intimidation that occurred near bus stops. Bus riders and others complained of behavior that made them afraid to wait at certain bus shelters. Getting rid of those bad actors is certainly good news for workers and travelers in the Capital City. But it is also important for the entire region. Downtowns are the hearts of urban centers and must be safe, welcoming places to maintain their economic and civic vitality. Understanding that, St. Paul businesses and citizens, city and county officials finally said "enough" and collaborated to take back downtown streets. To make it happen, police officers started making undercover buys last March. Businesses agreed to have video cameras placed on their buildings to observe the activity. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and state gang task force got involved. And county and city attorneys worked with cops in advance to assure that the charges would stick. The success of Shamrock will help downtown St. Paul be a more civil place to walk, work and wait for buses. Walkers should notice an immediate difference as most of those arrested have been charged and are expected to do some jail time. Still, as long as there are buyers, drug sellers, like stubborn weeds, will pop up in other places. When drug-related crime gets squeezed out of one area, it tends to ooze into another. If that happens in communities near downtown, neighbors should report it. St. Paul police officials advise residents to call the city's Force Unit about suspicious drug or gang-related activity so they can address it before it grows. That 100 dealers operated so openly says something about the demand for their product. So in addition to stronger enforcement, the drug problem must also be addressed by reducing the number of customers. Proven drug prevention programs for children and young adults need more support to head off addiction before it becomes a debilitating habit. Successful drug-treatment options must also be available to help drive down the customer base of illegal ways to get high. For now, those responsible for reclaiming downtown St. Paul streets deserve the thanks of grateful citizens. Their work exemplifies the best of what government can do when public service agencies, business and residents work together. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake