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.