SHERIFF TAKES PIG SIGN IN KAMPVILLE AS A COMPLIMENT By

Swope Says Drug Efforts Get Attention

A sign portraying a deputy as a pig has gotten the attention of St. Charles
County Sheriff Tim Swope.

"It appears to be a slight, but I think it's a positive," Swope said.

The sign proves that police are making a dent in the drug business in the
northern part of the county, an area he says is a hotbed for
methamphetamine labs and other drug offenses.

The 4-foot-by-8-foot sign states tongue-in-cheek, "Thank you for our
drug-free neighborhood." It shows a drawing of a pig wearing a police
uniform, complete with badge, night stick and gun. The pig is holding an
evidence bag.

Next to the pig are the words "Oink, Oink" and "You little stinker!" The
pig is wearing a crown and a nameplate that reads "J. King."

J. King is Deputy Jason King, 29, who has been with the department for two
years.

Swope said King is a hard worker and has a knack for finding illegal drugs.
Just two weeks ago, the deputy busted another meth lab in the area.

Swope said that King and several other deputies were working with residents
to clean up the drug problem in the area. He said their work was in
addition to the drug enforcement performed by the St. Charles County
Regional Drug Task Force, a joint effort of police departments throughout
the county.

"There are only a few people committing offenses up there," he said. "Our
message to them is that if you continue to cook meth, we're coming after you."

The sign had been displayed on a tree at the intersection of Rooney Road
and Highway B in Kampville for several days until it was taken down late
last week.

"I'm glad to see we got some people's attention," Swope said.