LOW-LEVEL DRUG OFFENDERS GET THEIR SECOND CHANCE

Drug Market Intervention program looks to take away anonymity, make
dealers 'think twice'

PEORIA -- Two are furthering their education. One just completed a job skills
class. At least one has found employment. And none have gotten in
trouble with the law.

This outcome is far different than the one they faced just four months
ago: months in jail or years in prison for misdemeanor and felony
drug-related crimes. It was a one-time opportunity through a pilot
program called Drug Market Intervention that targets and prosecutes
the most violent offenders and stages an intervention with low-level
offenders offering a second chance.

"Before they were caught, they thought no one knew what they were up
to; that they were just another face in the crowd. This program shined
a light on them. Everyone became aware of what they were doing. The
neighborhood, their family, the police and prosecution all now know
what they'd been up to," Peoria County Assistant State's Attorney Seth
Uphoff said.

"I believe that loss of anonymity makes the prospect of heading back
out on to the street to start peddling dope a much scarier endeavor.
It makes them think twice, and often that's all it takes to keep
someone from doing something stupid, harmful or illegal."

The goal of the program is to eliminate the open-air drug markets that
bring violence and neighborhood blight. In this instance, an
eight-block area roughly bounded from Western to Warren and Ann to
Millman was targeted.

Whether it can be deemed successful depends on the barometer used to
measure.

"Let's say just one of the six in the program makes lifestyle changes
which influence their family, future families, etc.," Peoria Police
Department Capt. Mike Scally said. "How do we really gauge that?"

A Different Path

Nov. 4 was a "tough day" for roughly 30 alleged marijuana, heroin and
crack dealers in the city of Peoria.

A majority of them were arrested and charged with misdemeanors and
mostly felonies after a months-long undercover drug operation. Six -
five men and one woman - were corralled into Neighborhood House in
front of more than 100 community members and faced the evidence
against them.

They were offered a choice to stay out of trouble for three years and
avoid prosecution. That came with support to change their lifestyles
through social-service agencies and not-for-profit agencies and help
with job training and other services.

"Nov. 4 was a tough day. One (DMI participant) said he had no idea his
life would change in a different direction that night. That night may
have been the awakening for them," said Ann Campen, the DMI
coordinator for Neighborhood House.

"This has been a big undertaking for Neighborhood House. We felt this
was an important program, and if it helps out the south side of
Peoria, we want to do something."

Neighborhood House temporarily hired a caseworker to specifically work
with the six individuals who agreed to participate in the program on a
daily basis. Campen reports some have undergone an incredible
transformation.

One of the participants just graduated from a 12-week jobs training
and life skills course and is

preparing to find employment. Another is completing classes through
the same jobs program and attending Illinois Central College. Another
is working toward his GED, and another is employed.

Campen admits they've lost touch with two, though their names have not
crossed police files. As part of their agreement, authorities agreed
to keep anonymous the names of those participating in the DMI program.

"The best measure of success is not necessarily what happens with
these individuals but what happens as far as crime is concerned in
that eight-block area. Hopefully we will continue the downward trend
of crime in that neighborhood," Campen said.

Police claim they have seen a decline in calls there.

Charges at Shop Rite Supermarket earlier this year for illegal drug
sales and subsequent loss of the store's liquor license had a big
effect on sweeping the streets, Uphoff said.

"The real test is going to be this spring when it starts to warm up.
But so far, I think the neighborhood has appreciated what's been done.
They're looking forward to spring, really reinvigorating the program
and the neighborhood," Uphoff said.

The future

The operation cost the Police Department roughly $30,000 to
$35,000.

The city is seeking $100,000 in federal funding for police overtime to
conduct at least one more drug market intervention program.

If that money doesn't come, Scally said the police department will
"curtail the scale" at which they can conduct similar investigations,
which are "time consuming and manpower intensive."

Currently, there is money budgeted for saturation patrols, which is
different from the drug market program. Additionally, the Peoria
Police Department's Special Investigation Division, including the
Street Crimes Unit and the Vice and Narcotics Unit, investigates drug
complaints from the community.

"All police officers understand the significance of drug sales and
usage and it's relation to crime. Every patrol officer as well,
contributes to the identification, investigation, and arrests of
people involved with narcotics," Scally said.

Any additional funding will go toward a new target area. But future
funding won't impact the success of the current program.

If any of the six DMI participants get in any trouble in the next few
years, the original charges against them will be filed. Most face
between three and seven years in prison upon conviction.

"They received an opportunity not afforded to many offenders. If the
same crime occurred at the same location, today, the offender would
not be given the opportunity they received," Scally said.

"Another outcome is I hope they also realize how their actions, what
they did, affected those around them, including their families and how
it hurt the neighborhood."