PD LOOKS TO DIAL UP HELP IN DRUG CASES

SEGUIN - The neighbor smokes a little dope - or maybe a little crack.

The kids living down the street have the kind of traffic coming and
going at all hours of the day and night - traffic a convenience store
owner would envy, except that they're selling drugs.

It's their lives and their homes, not yours. Does that mean it's not
your business?

It is when more than 90 percent of the crime in most communities is
committed by people who are either trying to find a way to pay for a
drug habit or who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

And now, Seguin police are offering residents a way to report illegal
drug activity where they will never have to worry about testifying in
court or being confronted by the people they've accused.

"A great majority of our cases are related to drugs in one form or
fashion," said Lt. Jerry Hernandez, who is the SPD's top detective.
"In terms of property crimes, they're committing thefts or burglaries
to provide funds for drugs or items to trade for drugs."

Many citizens - even the law-abiding ones - try to avoid contact with
law enforcement, and Police Chief Kevin Kelso said his department is
trying to make it easier for people to report crimes or suspected crimes.

"Law enforcement is a partnership, and we depend on the public to
trust us and be our eyes and ears because we can't be everywhere,"
Kelso said. "We want residents to believe us when we tell them, if
they report criminal activity to us, we will follow up and
investigate it, and we'll make arrests where we can."

For years, Seguin and Guadalupe County residents have been able to
call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 372-1000.

Kelso said they still can - and can still get a reward for their
information, which is also given anonymously.

Now, police are opening up 401-2391, which has a voice mail, for
recording drug or narcotics-related information only.

Callers don't need to leave their name or numbers, and no effort will
be made to locate or identify callers.

"We're just asking the community to take a step up and give us the
information we need to work with them to help eliminate or reduce
drug-dealing or other narcotics-related activity," Hernandez said.
"We're only going to have your name and number if you give it to us."

"This is for tips and information related to narcotics only,"
Hernandez said. "We're interested in any drug-related offenses,
possession, use, transportation - anything at all."

The information collected will be entered into a raw data file and
cross-referenced with other information to be passed on to the city's
narcotics investigators as well as patrol officers.

"It will help us focus on areas where we can identify suspects or
perpetrators or where there is a stronger need for enforcement or
investigation," Hernandez said.