TOWN CRACK DOWN ON DRUG USE

CANTON - At the conclusion of an otherwise calm meeting of the Canton
Board of Aldermen, a law enforcement trio entered the meeting room
Tuesday. The trio included Waynesville Police K9 Teddy, Haywood County
Sheriff's Office K9 Rex and the Waynesville Police Department's new
bomb-sniffing dog, Levi. The dogs, with official badges attached to
their collars, strained at their leashes and yelped in anticipation
upon entering the Colonial Theater annex, where the meeting was held.

During the surprise visit, Teddy and Rex demonstrated their talent at
sniffing out drugs. Teddy discovered a container of cocaine in a box
marked "lost and found," and Rex found a sandwich bag full of
marijuana hidden under a metal stand.

The drugs were secured and the dogs were given a toy or piece of fire
hose to gnaw on to calm their excitement after the find.

The demonstration was a prelude to an announcement from Town Manager
Bill Stamey, who said Canton merchant Bob Browning has offered to
raise the money to acquire a police dog for the Canton Police
Department. Browning said he had been talking with police officers for
the past six months and they had told him a dog would be very helpful
during drug raids and other investigations.

"We've got a drug problem in Canton, like everywhere, and I think a
dog would be a big help. I'd like to see all the drug dealers taken
off the streets because it breaks my heart when drugs ruin a kid's
life,"Browning said. Browning said he and one other person will donate
the money for the Canton K9. A police dog is an ,500 to ,000
investment just for the dog and training for the dog and its handler,
said Brian Beck of the Waynesville Police Department.

The dog will more than repay that amount, Beck said, in terms of
confiscated drugs and drug money.

"We recently confiscated 6,000 in cash during a drug raid," said
Brandon Gilmore of the Waynesville Police Department.

"We bought new pistols, holsters and flashlights from that one
arrest," Gilmore said.

A K9 officer is usually in service six to 10 years, which means the
arrests and confiscations will more than likely pay for the dog
several times over, Beck said. "Ilike what you do," Alderman Ted
Woodruff said. "All the drugs you get keeps that much away from the
kids." Police and sheriff's offices have a mutual aid agreement, which
means a K9 can be requested by the Canton and Clyde police
departments, Beck said. "Our police department needs a drug dog,"
Stamey said. Small police departments like Canton have a hard time
financing a K9, said Police Chief Bill Guillet.

"We are fortunate enough to have one of our citizens (Browning)
willing to raise the money for a K9," Guillet said.

Tax forfeiture money will more than offset the cost of the dog's food,
veterinarian bills, required continued training, he said.