PROSECUTORS: VIOLENT CRIMES ON THE RISE LOCALLY

BLUEFIELD - The FBI's preliminary Uniform Crime Report found that overall
crime between 2001 and 2002 continued a slow and steady decline across the
nation, while the number of murders and rapes increased. Southern West
Virginia seems to be following the national trend, local officials said.

"I know that we have more pending murder cases than at any time since I
have been prosecutor," Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Sadler said.
"It also seems like we've prosecuted more sexual assault cases than we ever
have."

The FBI reports that while murders increased 0.8 percent nationally and
rapes were up 4 percent, overall crime experienced a 0.2 percent drop.

Unlike the national trend, however, Sadler said crime in general appears to
be on the rise in Mercer County, though official figures were not available.

"I think some of our other violent crimes like robberies have increased
because of drug problems in the area in the last couple of years," Sadler
said. "Virtually all of our violent robberies are drug-related."

While murders and rapes are said to have remained at their normal levels in
Southwest Virginia, crime also appears to be on the rise due drug problems
in the area, Tazewell County Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Lee said.

"The last couple of years, overall crime has doubled," Lee said. "I
attribute that to the narcotics problem in the area. We have a number of
people who have become quickly addicted. OxyContin is an expensive habit,
and that has contributed to increased crime."

Lee said that while OxyContin use has leveled off, approximately 80 percent
of the cases he sees are drug-related.

"I would say that while I feel our overall crime rate is up, I see some
hopeful signs," Lee said. "I think our medical community has really cracked
down on over-prescribing drugs. We're seeing stiff penitentiary sentences,
and I think that's a reflection of how our community feels. They're sick of
the drugs and drug-related crimes, and I think that public awareness of the
problem can only be helpful."

Public awareness has also led to a greater overall number of reported rape
cases, Lee said.

"I think in the past there's been a tendency to sweep it under the rug,"
Lee said, "And I think more people are coming forward and bringing it to
light of things happening within the family."

Lee's comments also reflect results of the Uniform Crime Report, which
state that the largest increases in rapes were reported in small- and
medium-sized cities. Rapes increased 7 percent in cities of less than 10,000.

Bluefield could possess the greatest similarities with the national
figures, according to Chief of Police C.N. Blizzard.

"In 2002, I'm sure murders were up higher than normally, and that's without
pulling any records or statistics," Blizzard said. "I remember at one time
in 2002 at least seven different murders (in Mercer County) were under
active investigation during a six-month period. We also get a lot of rape
complaints.

"I think overall vandalism and petty crimes are down a little bit, although
we still do have plenty," Blizzard added. "But anytime during summer months
when you get people on the street, your crimes increase. Even your
misdemeanor complaints increase big-time."