DRUG TASK FORCE STAYS BUSY AT HOMESTEAD

County Unit Has Made 5 Arrests In 14 Months

Lt. Dean Roberts of the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department says its
the "pendulum effect" that brought the Ozaukee County Anti-Drug Task
Force to Homestead High School.

"We go where the tips lead us," said Roberts, the commander of the
Task Force. "We are not focusing on Homestead, but if we get
information and it's credible we will follow up on it no matter what
school it brings us to."

And follow the information they did.

Since last July, the Ozaukee County Anti-Drug Task Force has made five
buys and subsequently arrested the same number of juveniles for
selling drugs at Homestead High School. Two of the cases were filed
last month in Ozaukee County Circuit Court.

"Our goal is to go after the drug dealers," Roberts said. "If
something like a joint is found, the Task Force is probably not going
to get involved, but the school will work with its liaison officer who
will work in tandem with the local police department. They will keep
us informed of what is happening at the school. It's a pendulum. I
can't say where information is going to pop up or where we are needed
because that changes. We get tips pretty much on a daily basis."

Mequon Police Capt. Dan Buntrock said most of his police department's
drug arrests have come from tips by the school staff itself.

"Sometimes we will get information from citizens or parents of
friends," he said. "Some of the information we receive often leads us
to an arrest outside of the school atmosphere. Other times, it's on
school grounds."

Buntrock said the Mequon Police Department has recorded seven drug
arrests at Homestead since last May.

"According to our records, there hasn't been a large increase in
arrests, but that doesn't mean there isn't an increase in drug
activity because the rise in drug use is sadly reflected in the number
of overdoses which our department and other agencies in the county
have seen," Buntrock said.

In July 2005, the Task Force arrested a 17-year-old boy with 2.8 grams
of cocaine; in December 2005, they arrested another 17-year-old boy
with 3.5 grams of cocaine. Both arrests occurred at Homestead High
School's parking lot.

According to reports from the Task Force, in January 2006, a
17-year-old boy was arrested with 3.2 grams of cocaine. In the same
month, another 17-year-old boy was caught selling 13.8 grams of
cocaine. In May 2006, a 17-year-old boy was arrested for selling
antidepressants and sedative prescription drugs to police.

All five of the individuals arrested by the Task Force have charges
pending with the Ozaukee County District Attorney's Office.

During the same period, Mequon police arrested a 14-year-old Mequon
girl on May 5, 2005, who was in possession of cocaine, possession of a
controlled substance on school property and possession of tobacco by a
minor. A day later, Mequon police arrested a 15-year-old Milwaukee
girl for carrying a concealed weapon (knife), possession of a
dangerous weapon on school property, possession of marijuana and
possession of a controlled substance on school grounds. On May 12,
2005, a 15-year-old Mequon boy was arrested for possession of
marijuana and possession of a controlled substance on school grounds.
One day after, a 15-year-old Mequon boy was caught selling
prescription drugs on school grounds. Police said he was making his
seventh sale of Adderall when he was caught.

Later, police arrested two 16-year-old Mequon boys for possession of
marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. While one of the boys
was caught with 5 1/2 grams of marijuana, the other was found in
possession of 2 grams of the same illicit drug. In March 2006, Mequon
officers were called to the high school for a 17-year-old Milwaukee
boy, who smelled of marijuana and was found in possession of a joint.

A month later, Mequon officers arrested a 17-year-old Milwaukee boy
for possession with intent to deliver and illegal possession of
prescription drugs. According to police records, the boy told officers
he thought he was selling Tylenol 3, but, instead, he was selling
seroquel, an anti-psychotic medicine; and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant.

Homestead High School Principal Mark Roherty said he and his staff
work closely with the district's liaison officer.

"We communicate when we have information and work with the police
department," Roherty said. "If something is relayed to me, we
certainly follow up on it. We don't have our heads in the sand on
this. We want to stay tuned and remain vigilant on tips and any
information that is shared with us."