NEW ANTI-DRUG TACTICS CAN WORK IN SUBURBS

Camden County's new prosecutor has the right idea.

Hear the word "drugs," and you probably think of Camden. For years, people
in South Jersey have heard that that's where the drugs are. Special
programs there have been designed to stop the sale of drugs. State police
have moved in to try to quell the violence.

But as we all also know, the problem of drug sales extends far beyond
Camden's borders. That's why it's refreshing to see that Camden County
Prosecutor Vincent Sarubbi plans to carry the fight against drugs to the
suburbs.

A spinoff of Camden's Operation Sunburst would target high-crime areas of
Lindenwold. While it wouldn't be an exact replica of the program, it would
bring the same kind of intensive, broad-based approach to fighting drugs
and crime.

Lindenwold has suffered as authorities succeeded - to some extent - in
fighting the drug problem in Camden. Dealers found it easier to move out of
the city and set up shop in apartments. Instead of selling in "open-air"
drug markets, they invite their customers inside. Different tactics, but
still a plague on a community.

And it's obvious that Lindenwold isn't the only place that could benefit
from an intensive effort to get rid of the dealers. If Sarubbi's plans are
successful there, they should be implemented elsewhere, too.

While the details still are not fully developed, it's believed that the
approach will be similar to one that has worked elsewhere, including New
York City: Crack down on the little things, the quality- of-life
violations, that quickly can spread into more serious crimes. In other
cities, noise ordinances were enforced vigorously, as were restrictions on
keeping property in good shape. Abandoned cars were removed from the
streets. Loitering and littering laws were upheld.

The approach focuses more on prevention than punishment. In general, it's
an effort to make living in a community more enjoyable and to instill pride
in the local residents. If the locals buy into it and work with government
and law enforcement, they indeed can see a positive change.

Here's hoping Sarubbi's plans for Lindenwold are implemented quickly and
meet with success. Then they should be expanded to other communities facing
similar problems.

It's not easy fixing the drug program one broken window at a time, but, as
many cities can attest, it can work.