DRUG PROBLEMS MORE VISIBLE?

IRONWOOD -- Public safety department director Bob Erspamer doesn't
think the drug problem in the city is any worse than in the past, but
rather the issue is more visible because his officers are making more arrests.

How to tackle drugs in the city was a key concern at a Monday city
budget hearing.

"Find the money and set it aside for drug work," former city
commissioner Louise DeMasi urged the commission. She had suggested at
an earlier meeting that the city spend the requested $1 per resident
to join the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team, but it was
suggested Monday the money might be better used on officers here.

Erspamer said people are reading about more drug arrests in the city
because his officers are "doing a good job." He added, "We've had the
drug problem and now you're seeing the arrests."

Former public safety director Leroy Johnson said that when his
department had a specially trained team to tackle drugs, called INET,
most drug dealers left town.

Erspamer noted the department had more money for drug training back then.

Mayor Bruce Noren proposed the commission talk with UPSET officials.

Many UPSET members are state police officers. Commissioner Cliff
Koivisto, who said there were drug houses all over Ironwood, was
critical Monday of state police for busting people for seat belt
violations when drugs are so rampant.

Koivisto also criticized the prosecutor's office because of a
proposed 45-day sentence for a man who was caught with more than a
quarter pound of marijuana.

A felony count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana has
been reduced to a misdemeanor against Robert Wood, 21, a former
Gogebic Community College basketball player. He will be sentenced in
Gogebic County District Court on May 22.

Gogebic County Prosecutor Richard Adams said as part of a plea
agreement, Wood will serve 45 days in jail this summer.

"It's like 'Let's Make a Deal,'" Koivisto said, adding such a
sentence would likely frustrate officers.

Erspamer noted his officers were not involved in the seat belt
enforcement effort. Michigan State Police troopers from the Wakefield
Post issued 32 tickets for seat belt violations Monday during roving
patrols. The campaign will continue through June 3.

City resident Tom Laabs noted there have been no charges issued in an
early April bust of a Florence Street residence, where UPSET
detectives and public safety officers found an inactive meth lab
after acting on a warrant.

"The house is still there and I see people who were handcuffed (on
April 5) still walking around," Laabs said.

Although the county prosecutor's office was criticized Monday for not
filing charges in the meth lab bust, it's likely the charges will be
issued on a federal level. A grand jury indictment is possible.

The Daily Globe has been unable to contact the lead UPSET officer in
the case, Det. Sgt. Ron Koski, for an update.