DRUG FUND PLAN WOULDN'T HURT SOME AGENCIES

Narcotics Bureau wants to keep more money

Pine Belt law enforcement agencies would feel a minimal hit to their
budgets if Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton is
successful in lobbying for a decrease in the percentage of forfeiture
proceeds local law enforcement agencies receive.

Currently, the state gets 20 percent of the proceeds, with 80 percent
going to local law enforcement agencies. Melton wants the proceeds
divided between state and local agencies.

"Anytime that income is reduced, it's going to have some impact on our
department," said Hattiesburg Assistant Police Chief Frank
Misenhelter.

Misenhelter said he did not know how much money had been received
during the 2003 fiscal year from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

"We have a good working relationship with MBN, but our main joint
operations are run with our Metro Narcotics team," Misenhelter said.

Most area law enforcement agencies either work jointly with the
Forrest/Perry County Metro Narcotics team or they have officers
assigned to drug detail.

"We don't work a lot with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. We have
an officer assigned from Forrest/Perry County Metro Narcotics team,"
said Petal Police Chief Lee Shelbourn.

Smaller departments would be hit harder by a decrease in currency
seized during joint drug busts, some officials said.

"I think on a statewide perspective, that the state bureau is much
better funded than some of the smaller counties in Mississippi.
Smaller counties have trouble with very basic needs," said Forrest
County Sheriff Billy McGee.

"Smaller counties depend on MBN more than we do," McGee said. "I can't
think of but one or two cases where Forrest County has shared with
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics in the last five years."

Collins Police Chief Robert McKee said his department rarely works in
conjunction with the state agency.

"We do most of our own work," McKee said.

And the money they do receive goes toward buying more
equipment.

"Overall we get very little money," said Lamar County Sheriff Marvin
Breazeale, "but we use this money to enhance our drug programs."

Breazeale said several years ago, a large drug seizure conducted in
conjunction with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics brought in about
$75,000 to the sheriff's department. The money was used to purchase
new patrol cars, radios and other equipment.

When the Lamar County Sheriff's Department participates in a drug bust
with its municipal police departments, the money is divided equally.

"All agencies, including the bureau, should share alike. If Purvis
worked with us, we would probably share equally," Breazeale said.

The 50-50 split seems like a fair deal to McGee.

"50-50 is certainly equitable and I don't think anybody could argue
that fact," McGee said.

Jones County Sheriff Larry Dykes said he can see why Melton would want
to see a change in the funding split allocations.

"I can understand his reasoning for wanting to change it," Dykes said,
"but at the same time, speaking totally for myself, I like it the way
it is."