POLICE USE DRUG FUNDS TO PAY FOR HORSE PATROL

The Police Department plans to pay for its horse patrol program through
drug seizure money again in 2001, an approach that has won the approval of
a Common Council committee.

About $70,000 in the forfeiture money, which comes from the city's share of
assets seized in drug cases, is earmarked for the horse patrol program.
Last year an additional $30,000 was raised from private sources, although
no one has stepped forward so far to pay that much in 2001. The council has
opposed using taxpayer dollars for the unit.

The council's Finance and Personnel Committee OK'd a $152,000 plan this
week for spending the first share of this year's drug money, which includes
half of the $70,000 earmarked for lease of the horses and stable space.
Other expenditures include $8,000 for the drug canine unit, $21,000 for
cell phones and $25,000 for training.

The spending measure goes to the full council Tuesday. Federal guidelines
say the drug money has to be used for new programs or enhanced efforts, not
routine department operations.