Pubdate: Sun, 29 May 2016
Source: Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)
Copyright: 2016 Daily Freeman
Contact:  http://www.dailyfreeman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3269

TOWN DOUBLES DOWN ON POLICE STAFFING TO FIGHT DRUGS

TOWN OF WALLKILL, N.Y. - A Massachusetts police chief made headlines 
and created a social media stir last year when he declared the 
50-year "war on drugs" a failure and turned his department away from 
criminal penalties and toward treatment.

That initiative by Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello has 
picked up traction in other departments across the nation. As the New 
York Times reported in January, "56 police departments in 17 states 
have started programs modeled on or inspired by Gloucester's, with 
110 more preparing to do so."

In Wallkill, police and elected officials have decided to double down 
on enforcement.

Town officials said they are adding three more full-time police 
officers to the 23 full-timers and 13 part-time cops on the beat.

Officials on Thursday announced the move, which will cost $300,000 
per year, with the support of Orange County District Attorney David 
Hoovler and state police.

Between 70 and 75 percent of all crime in the area is drug-related, 
Hoovler said.

Town Supervisor Daniel Depew said the war on drugs is back.

"The war on drugs should not have died with Nancy Reagan," Depew 
said, an apparent reference to the former first lady's "Just Say No" 
campaign against drug use. "I feel the federal government and the 
state government generally have done everything but faithfully 
abandon doing anything to directly impact these issues. Speaking on 
behalf of the state police, they need help, the District Attorney's 
Office needs help; funding needs to be put in place to combat this 
now before it takes over our culture and destroys our society," Depew said.

Police Chief Robert Hertman also said there is a connection between 
crime and drug use.

Representatives of the Town Board, police union and community 
advisory committee were at police headquarters to support the 
additional officers.

- - Mid-Hudson News Network and Freeman staff
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom