LAW ENFORCEMENT PLAN SUITS CITY

Federal Priorities In Line With City's Needs, Officials Say

Wednesday August 22, 2001; 10:30 AM The law enforcement priorities of the
Bush Administration and new Attorney General John Ashcroft are well suited
to fighting crime in Charleston and Southern West Virginia, local
authorities say.

In position papers, speeches and budgetary requests, the president and the
attorney general have pinpointed three areas of criminal activity they
would like to take on: gun law violations, drugs and domestic violence.

"Those are absolutely tremendous areas for any metropolitan area, and
tremendous areas for Charleston," Charleston Police Chief Jerry Riffe said.
"If that's the direction they're heading, then we'll be on board." The
federal priorities in law enforcement have a significant trickle-down
effect on local agencies. Primarily by providing funding and grants,
federal authorities can have a big impact on where police direct resources.

But the face for the Bush justice department in this area will be the new
U.S. attorney for the southern half of the state. The person most likely to
take that job, Col. Kasey Warner, will probably not be in the post for a
few weeks. Warner, who is awaiting confirmation, will have his work cut out
for him.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., says that the confirmation process will
continue for Warner, a West Virginia native and career army lawyer, when
the Senate reconvenes next month. She said the background check has been
completed on Warner, who Bush tapped for the job earlier this summer,
clearing the way for a vote on his appointment.

Capito said that when Warner shows up for work he will find a justice
department in tune with the needs of the area.

"Illegal use of prescription drugs is one of the biggest problems facing
West Virginia, and fortunately it is a top priority for the
administration," Capito said. "Especially with Oxycontin and other powerful
pain killers, the push is on to stop trafficking and illegal distribution."

Capito recently met with new Drug Enforcement Administration boss Asa
Hutchinson, and discussed the problem as it relates to the Bush
administration's new focus on battling drugs. The response, she said, was
heartening.

"He made clear that not only were they aware of the problem, but that they
were willing to commit resources to fight it," Capito said.

In the area of guns, Bush and Ashcroft have made clear that they believe
the best way to protect the rights of law abiding gun owners is to come
down hard on those who violate existing gun laws.

"Guns and drugs have a huge overlap," Riffe said. "Getting guns away from
criminals is a key element to put a stop to the bloodshed that we have seen
in the area of drugs."

Federal prosecutors have long made a practice of seeking tough sentences
against felons found in possession of firearms and enhanced penalties in
drug cases involving guns. West Virginia, which has a high percentage of
gun owners, has proved fertile ground for such prosecutions.

"I think that's a well-placed priority. Responsible gun owners don't mind
having the laws enforced, because they know that guns don't belong in the
hands of criminals," Capito said.

The focus on domestic violence also overlaps with guns. According to
federal law, anyone who has been under a permanent domestic violence
protective order in a local court may not own or possess a gun. Federal
prosecutors make frequent use of that law already, and may do so even more
often under the Bush administration.

The new priorities may mean more money for local groups working against
domestic violence. Ashcroft wants to put more money aside for grants and
other federal assistance for local groups.

Riffe said that the administration's decision to take money away from the
COPS program, an effort designed to put more officers on the streets that
former President Bill Clinton made the heart of his anti-crime initiative,
fits well for Charleston. Bush wants to divert the money into technology,
training and other measures to better equip existing officers.

"We're downsizing, so that's tailor-made for us." Riffe said. "We are
trying to make a push in technology and equipment, so we'll take every
penny we can get."