LAWMEN FORM NEW STRATEGY TO FIGHT DRUG PROBLEM

About 20 law enforcement officers from throughout the Delta gathered at
Clarksdale City Hall Wednesday for a drug strategy planning session.

The session, which was held by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, focused
on how law enforcement agencies can better work together to fight drug crimes.

"There's no reason why you should have a street corner in your town where
they're selling (drugs) to anybody," MBN Agent in Charge Leon Williams told
the group. "It's a slap in the face."

Williams explained that local law enforcement can utilize the MBN to set up
operations to take down drug dealers. "It's all at your fingertips," he
said. "You just have to give us a call." J

oey Hall, an agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, told of how federal agencies have worked successfully with the
Clarksdale Police Department to reduce drug and gun crimes in the city as
part of the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods program.

"We've not cleaned up Clarksdale by any means," Hall said.

"But we have taken some high-level drug dealers and put them in federal
prison for a long time." One case in particular he cited was that of
Michael Starnes.

Starnes, 22, the reputed leader of one of Clarksdale's most notorious
gangs, was convicted on 10 charges in federal court in September.

He is facing up to 145 years in prison for the charges, ranging from
selling crack-cocaine and marijuana to possessing an arsenal of firearms.

"Everyone worked together, and the case kept growing," Hall said.

Clarksdale Police Chief Steve Bingham told the group of the importance of
placing a priority on fighting drug crimes.

"If you want to cut crime in your community, the most effective place to
start is with the drug problem," Bingham said.

He said that other crimes such as burglaries and robberies, more often than
not, are connected to the drug problem in one way or another.

Williams said the MBN is working to put together in-depth training sessions
for local law enforcement.

Subjects that will be covered include interview and interrogation, search
and seizure, documentation and report writing and evidence handling.

He said that the first training will be held n mid-November.