POLICE TO STEP UP DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN WINCHESTER

City to Team with Virginia State Police as Part of Continuing Effort to
Crack Down on Illegal Drug Trade

The Winchester Police Department will step up its drug enforcement efforts
"soon," according to Chief Gary W. Reynolds.

Reynolds would not specify exactly when the extra work will begin, but a
press release provided to City Council's Community Safety and Services
Committee on Monday states that four Virginia State Police troopers, three
K-9 troopers, and a state special agent will assist in the task starting
sometime this month.

The increased police attention on drug traffic is part of a larger joint WPD
and Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force operation that started in
April 2002 and led to 18 drug arrests last fall, the release states.

This new part of the initiative will include undercover officers and greater
marked police presence, said Reynolds and the effort's coordinator, WPD Sgt.
J.M. Danielson.

The initiative represents a bit of a change from enforcement targeting drug
dealers, Reynolds said. "We're now shifting the focus toward buyers as well
as dealers."

Reynolds said the Winchester operation will be similar to those instituted
in Richmond and Newport News. While Winchester is smaller than both,
Reynolds said the city has a drug problem just like that of many cities,
and, while not a metro area itself, Winchester sits at the outside of the
Washington-Baltimore metro area, is close to two different states, and lies
along a major interstate highway.

Most areas Winchester's size or larger have similar drug problems, Reynolds
said. "We just happen to be taking a more pro-active stance."

The WPD scored 363 drug arrests in 2002, the press release states, and in
2003, has averaged 31 drug arrests each month.

The drugs passing hands in Winchester come in all varieties, said Danielson,
including marijuana, crack cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

"Everything's here, unfortunately," he said.

"The intent of this initiative is to send a clear message that Winchester is
not the place to buy and sell drugs," the release states.

Reynolds said a good analogy for the philosophy behind the effort is that of
a driver who slows down when a state trooper is nearby, but speeds up when
the trooper passes.

In terms of drug enforcement, Reynolds said, people may keep an eye out for
marked police cars, but let their guard down after the police presence
leaves, not knowing there may be some undercover officers in their midst.

The effort includes not just the WPD and state police, but also the
Winchester Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and assistance from the
Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

Reynolds would only say the state police compliment would be in Winchester
for "a while." But, he added, "This is not a one weekend type of operation."