FRANKLIN PLEDGES $5,000 FOR DRUG FIGHT

FRANKLIN--The Franklin city council has pledged $5,000 for the Warren
County Regional Drug Task Force after county commissioners refused to
increase funding, saying it was the responsibility of local communities.

The $5,000 was already earmarked in the Franklin police budget for the task
force, said Police Chief Robert Rockwood.

Task force Director John Burke appeared before council Dec. 18 to make the
request. The regional task force targets mid-to high-level drug dealers and
producers, freeing regular patrol officers from having to do that
time-consuming duty, he explained.

"The problem's out there," said Rockwood. "We're not capable of handling
the mid-to upper-level drug cases."

The $5,000 and any additional money that Franklin contributes is expected
to be matched by Warren County commissioners, who pledged to match all new
money donated to the task force from local governments, Burke said.

Franklin had in previous years contributed officers' time to the task
force, but Rockwood said, "I think the $5,000 spent is more productive."

Council members agreed, but said they need to review the budget before
considering contributing more.

"I think Finance Committee needs to take a look at this," said Vice Mayor
Greg Sample.

Rockwood used the recent discovery of a methamphetamine lab in Franklin as
an example of how the city benefits from the regional task force.

"That was the second meth lab in two years found in Franklin," said
Rockwood. "It's a growing problem. You'll be tired of hearing about it in
three years."

Franklin, sitting on Interstate 75, likely has drugs being transported
through it every day, police said. The methamphetamine lab found in October
was in a truck likely headed north. Officers arrested two Arizona men after
a traffic stop revealed materials to make the drug.