DRUG-FIGHTING POOL THINS

NEOSHO, Mo. - The Newton County Sheriff's Department and the Aurora Police
Department are withdrawing their ties with the Southwest Missouri Drug Task
Force effective June 30, officials said Tuesday.

Officials with the Neosho Police Department suggested it will follow suit,
pending further discussion with the city administration.

Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland, chairman of the governing board for the
multijurisdictional task force, told the Globe on Tuesday that the three
agencies cited their positions during a meeting last week, primarily noting
cost as the driving force.

Not available Tuesday was what impact the departures might have on the
eight-member organization aimed primarily at investigating drug activity.
And while Copeland did say that the departing members would receive what he
characterized as thousands of dollars in drug-case forfeiture money, he
would not divulge specifics about the organization's money, personnel and
activities. He said he couldn't release information without the consent of
the governing board.

Copeland said contributing $10,000 each year to an agency that hasn't
produced a case in Newton County for 10 to 12 months isn't cost-effective.
The county also provides space for the task force, and supplies a secretary
and a supervisor to oversee the day-to-day operations.

"The task force is probably effective elsewhere, but it is zero percent
effective in Newton County," Copeland said. "We weren't getting anything in
return."

Copeland said his department will continue to fight drug activities, but
that it will do so from within its own ranks.

The task force is supported by state and federal grants, and money from its
eight member agencies. Unlike traditional task forces, the Southwest
Missouri Drug Task Force hires its own agents rather than using
representatives from its member agencies.

The task force is governed by a board composed of the sheriff and police
chief from each member agency. Copeland was named chairman of the board
when he became sheriff Jan. 1. His chief deputy, Chris Jennings, supervises
the task force.

Copeland said the task force's headquarters will have to be relocated,
because his department will no longer provide such.

Aurora police Chief Rick Batson said the task force has not produced enough
drug cases in eastern Lawrence County to justify the cost of membership. In
the meantime, the Aurora Police Department has established its own
narcotics unit.

Neosho police Chief David McCracken said he's "not prepared" to make a
public announcement regarding continued membership with the task force
because he would like to seek advice from the city manager. For McCracken,
it's an issue of manpower and resources. He said the department contributes
up to $5,000 each year. Investigators also assist with arrests and other
drug interdiction activity, he said.

"It's not a secret we're looking at it, but it hasn't been approved,"
McCracken said Tuesday of the decision to leave the task force.

"It's just a matter of what's best for Neosho. Where's the best place to
put our resources?"

McDonald County Sheriff Don Schlessman said he was aware that some agencies
were leaving, but he pledged support for the task force.

Former Newton County Sheriff Ron Doerge helped create the task force about
11 years ago. The goal was to establish relationships among Southwest
Missouri law enforcement agencies and coordinate efforts to fight narcotics.

When contacted Tuesday, Doerge said he was surprised that Copeland would
pull the department's membership from the task force, but he said he
recognizes that because the group is stretched over four counties, the
needs of all its members might not be met. Doerge said Newton County
perhaps would be better off joining forces with the Jasper County Drug Task
Force because of the population similarities.

"Times change," Doerge said. "It may very well be that change is appropriate."