COUNTY'S CRIME RATE UP SLIGHTLY

Drug Activity Down

SHELBY -- The county's crime rate is up 3 percent for the first eight
months of 2006 compared to the same time frame last year, according to
the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.

However, reported drug activity -- which many in law enforcement credit
as the root of many property and violent crimes -- has fallen 53 percent.

Chief Deputy Danny Gordon called drug activity the "primary root of
all our crime" and praised what he referred to as an overworked
narcotics division and ICE Team for a "commendable job" finding and
arresting drug offenders in the county. He said the majority of
break-ins, larcenies and violent crimes in the county are drug
related, where addicts steal items or rob residents to feed their habit.

Lt. Joel Shores, of the sheriff's narcotics division, agreed with
Gordon's assessment.

"I would say at least 85 percent of the larcenies (in the county) are
related to drugs in some way, shape and form," Shores said.

He said the drug activity has slowed due to a recent federal
conspiracy case and a state law passed earlier this year restricting
the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, two main ingredients used
to produce methamphetamine. He also praised the county's partnership
with the Shelby Police Department.

"Chief Carter and his staff have done a tremendous job," Shores said.
"Working together is the key to eliminate this problem."