BAY TO CRACK DOWN ON DRUG CRIMES IN CITY

The Pelican Bay Police Department put the public on notice: a zero
tolerance drug policy is in effect.

On Monday, police began posting over a half dozen signs declaring Pelican
Bay a zero tolerance drug zone, Pelican Bay Police Chief Charles Clark
said. Under the policy, anyone possessing drugs or related paraphernalia
will be arrested, booked and taken to jail, Clark said.

"My main concern is for the kids and having drugs less accessible," he said.

Pelican Bay's arrest policy differs from some other police departments that
only write citations for offenders possessing paraphernalia.

The police have already made an arrest under the new policy. After
receiving a report of some teenagers loitering at an abandon home, an
18-year-old man was arrested and booked into the City of Westworth's
jailing facility.

The police department has also hired an officer to help enforce the new
policy and investigate narcotics cases police encounter.

In addition to its new policy, Pelican Bay has signed an interlocal
agreement with the Metro Narcotics Taskforce allowing the two entities to
share information and work together as needed on drug related cases, Clark
said.

The taskforce will investigate most of the narcotics cases they share,
Clark said.

The police chief said he is also attending monthly meetings with
representatives of other law enforcement agencies to network and stay
abreast of the latest news and trends.

The Pelican Bay Police's zero tolerance policy has been in the works for
the past couple of months as the department narrows its focus on
eliminating illicit drug use and dealings in the city, Clark said.