OFFICIAL CALLS FOR CRACKDOWN ON 'CRACK HOUSES'

If Hinds County Supervisor Ronnie Chappell has his way, the governor's
office will oversee the destruction of every "crack house" in Hinds
County.

Frustrated by the crime he sees reported in the media, Chappell says
he will ask fellow supervisors today to support a resolution calling
on Gov. Haley Barbour to work with the county administrator "and any
representative of any city or town in Hinds County that wishes to
participate" to develop and execute a plan to rid the county of
so-called crack houses.

Chappell's resolution calls on the governor to use his executive
powers to provide the resources to eliminate the sale and use of drugs
in the county. "While we dilly-dally around, crime continues to run
rampant," Chappell said.

Barbour spokesman Pete Smith said the state is already providing help,
including working with state agencies to help Hinds County reduce its
caseload in the courts.

"Due to the merger of the Bureau of Narcotics and the Department of
Public Safety, drug arrests (around the state) are up 39 percent,"
Smith said.

Fellow supervisors who have read the resolution say they aren't sure
what to make of it. "I read it, but I don't understand it at this
point," said District 5 Supervisor George Smith. "All of the cities
our size are suffering from the same problem."

"If the city of Jackson wants additional personnel, or whatever they
need, there should be a cooperative effort between (the city and
county)," Supervisors President Doug Anderson said.

Neither Jackson Police Chief Robert Moore nor Hinds County Sheriff
Malcolm McMillin will comment, saying they haven't read Chappell's
resolution.

Clinton Police Chief Don Byington, who acknowledges "hot spots" in his
city, said he'd be willing to take any help the state would give. "You
don't turn down that kind of help," Byington said.