TECHNOLOGY AND TIPS LEAD TO DRUG ARRESTS

Citizen complaints and a new computer mapping program are credited in
a five-month undercover drug operation that resulted in the arrests
of 23 Racine men.

Most of the suspects will appear in Racine County Circuit Court on
Monday on cocaine delivery charges.

The Racine Police Department's undercover buying operation over the
past several months led to the arrests, which began Jan. 27 with the
assistance of the FBI and the Racine County Sheriff's Department.

But the operation was spurred by complaints from citizens and was
focused with a new computer mapping program, said Sgt. Jerry Baldukas,
the Racine police spokesman. The program revealed that since
September, calls to police about drug sales were concentrated in three
neighborhoods.

"The street-level drug dealers were affecting the quality of life for
the neighbors. They were the ones who came to us and said there was a
problem," Baldukas said.

The 44 undercover drug purchases of $14,000 worth of cocaine represent
a medium-size drug bust, Baldukas said. But the operation was notable
because it was the first time citizen complaints and high technology
were combined to target enforcement, he said.

The operation focused on the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Villa St.; 12th
and Center streets; and an area bounded by Geneva St., Prospect St.
and Blake Ave.

Seven of the 23 men named in the arrest warrants have previous drug
convictions, including four who have served prison time for cocaine
convictions, court records show.

Police encourage residents who see drug dealing to call the
department, but also to realize that some enforcement efforts take
time.

"It may get frustrating and it may seem like we're not doing anything,
but we are," Baldukas said.