Pubdate: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 Source: Dallas Morning News (TX) Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/ Forum: http://forums.dallasnews.com:81/webx Copyright: 1998 The Dallas Morning News Author: Vikas Bajaj / The Dallas Morning News BEDFORD BACKS PLAN TO HIRE 2 ANTI-DRUG OFFICERS Mayor Urges That Other Cities Be Asked To Help Sponsor Northeast Tarrant Effort BEDFORD - City Council members say they support staff plans to hire two additional police officers who will mount anti-drug campaigns and increase regional enforcement efforts. Police Chief David Flory is proposing that the city hire an officer next spring to increase the city's contribution to the Northeast Tarrant Narcotics and Intelligence Coordination Unit. Bedford also wants to hire an officer to oversee the implementation of an anti-drug program proposed by council member Karin Newell. Council members told Chief Flory on Tuesday to delve deeper into the financial ramifications of the new positions and to outline goals for Ms. Newell's proposed "Everyone's Responsible" program. Mayor Rick Hurt said he supports the concept of hiring an officer for the Northeast narcotics unit, especially in light of the recent withdrawal by North Richland Hills from the regional entity. But he said the city should ask other cities in the area to co-sponsor the new hire through a salary-or benefits-sharing agreement. "I would like everybody to pay their fair share," he said. "We are all going to benefit from this." At least one area police chief said he would be willing to consider the idea of pooling resources for a new hire. Euless Police Chief Gary McKamie said that the regional drug unit has been beneficial to his city and that his department would be glad to entertain a funding proposal from Bedford. "I think that concept [regional task forces] is going to carry us into the future - this concept of pooling our resources," he said Wednesday. Chief McKamie said Bedford and Euless wouldn't need to consider such a proposal if all cities in the area participated fully in the task force. Cities that don't have police officers assigned to the anti-drug unit include North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Keller, Colleyville and Southlake. The cities that have officers assigned to the unit include are Bedford, Euless, Hurst, Grapevine and Watauga. North Richland Hills officials say their withdrawal from the unit was necessary for the department to focus efforts on the teen drug and alcohol problems in the city. The city has since established its own three-member narcotics unit. Other departments cite budget constraints as impediments to full participation in the force, although they share information and resources on a case-by-case basis. Colleyville, North Richland Hills and Keller officials have said they maybe able to add officers to the unit in coming years. Northeast Tarrant police agencies link drugs with at least 20 deaths, mostly teens and young adults, since 1996. In Bedford, Chief Flory said heroin has been the leading cause of teen deaths in the last two years. Chief Flory said his department is hopeful it can increase its numbers with the help of a three-year, $75,000 federal grant that will help pay for the hiring of an officer to oversee Ms. Newell's proposed program, which calls on all residents to do their part in stemming drug use. Ms. Newell is proposing that the city educate residents to watch for unusual activities in their neighborhoods that may indicate drugs are being bought and sold, and that residents keep an eye out for teens who are associated with the drug trade. Ms. Newell said she devised the plan as a response to the numerous heroin-related deaths that have occurred in the area this fall. Chief Flory said the officer put in charge of the program could undertake other related duties by forming relationships with community groups and helping the Northeast narcotics unit track leads. Ms. Newell said she was heartened by the positive response of her colleagues and the city's willingness to commit resources to fighting drugs. "I am proud to sit with folks who are not willing to put their heads in the sand," she said. - --- Checked-by: derek rea