COMMITTEE WANTS ORDINANCE TO REGULATE METH COMPONENTS

The Winchester Public Safety Committee met Monday afternoon to move on an
ordinance that regulates the sale of products used in the production of
methamphetamines.

Public Safety Director Dennis Young presented a rough draft of the
ordinance, which regulates the display, sale and delivery of products used
in the production of methamphetamines. This ordinance stipulates that
business owners would have to keep a record of who purchases ephedrine,
psuedophedrine, phenylpropanolamine, muratic acid, 7 percent iodine and
book matches in quantities of 100 or more. This record would be turned over
to law enforcement officials upon request. It also requires customers to
show identification to purchase these items. The quantities of the product,
a driver's license number and signature as well as other information would
also be recorded.

The purpose of the ordinance is to deter people, who use these ingredients
for drug manufacturing, from buying these products by documenting their
information on a ledger that will be periodically given to police officers.

After a lengthy discussion, the committee approved a recommendation to
forward the ordinance to the city attorney for review. After the attorney
reviews the document, it will be forwarded to the city council for approval.

In other business, the committee went over the Kid's Day Out schedule for
next week. The Kid's Day Out program is an all day event for children
between the ages of eight and 12. The event, which is scheduled for
Tuesday, Oct. 14, is designed to promote a feeling of security between
children and the police and fire departments. The committee members, who
will serve as extra chaperones, noted that the day would begin at 10 a.m.
and that they would be prepared for the 30 to 40 pre-registered children.
Finally, the committee briefly discussed a "Weed and Seed" program.
Director Young told the committee of the program that had been instituted
in Cleveland, Tennessee that basically weeded out negative youth spots and
replaced them with a positive youth gathering places. Young noted that he
would have more information about the program in the next meeting.
Committee Members Morris Rogers, Jonathan Hammer, Quanita Syler, Councilman
Bobby Scharber, City Administrator Beth Rhoton and Young were present for
the meeting.