AGENCIES TAKE STAND TO REDUCE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

Crime statistics show that law enforcement agencies who take an aggressive
approach against illegal drugs in communities will reduce criminal activity
as a whole.

The N.C. SBI crime statistics for the 10 year period between 1992 and 2001
show rape, robberies, burglaries, larcenies, and motor vehicle thefts have
increased.

Murders and aggravated assaults show a decrease during that same period.

Sampson County sheriff Jimmy Thornton agreed to take a firm stance against
illegal drug activity during his campaign and recently requested one of the
states most aggressive law enforcement officers to provide training for his
deputies.

Davidson County has a population of approximately 150,000 residents, more
than twice the population in Sampson County.

Davidson County sheriff Gerald Hege was elected to his position in 1994.
The tactics he uses in fighting crime in his county has made news around
the world and has labeled him as the toughest sheriff in the United States.

Murder, rape, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, and motor vehicle
thefts have decreased during the 10 year period with larcenies being the
only crime reflecting an increase.

Crimes reported in 2001 show most categories of crime were equal to, or
less than Sampson County which has half the population of Davidson County.

"I've set up check points on Friday and Saturday nights and had people in
the community bring lawn chairs to sit and watch," Hege said. "It's better
than going to the movies. Cops in real life."

Hege and his Team 101 were in Sampson County for the second time in three
weeks training members of the sheriff's department highway interdiction and
checkpoint operations.

"We seized $1 million in cocaine last week in Davidson County," Hege said.
"During the seven weeks since I started the interdiction team we have
seized over $2 million in drugs which included methamphetamine, cocaine,
and marijuana. We have also seized over $450,000 in cash and eight vehicles."

The sheriff's department receives 80-percent of the cash and proceeds from
sales of the vehicles as drug forfeiture. The vehicles may also be used by
the department as undercover or utility vehicles rather than selling it for
the money.

The Davidson County sheriff's office is equipped with the most modern crime
fighting tools and technology. Hege uses the money from drug forfeiture to
purchase equipment for his department, then uses the equipment against the
drug dealers and other criminals. The same equipment purchased with their
money, and not the tax payers.

"When I was first elected sheriff and began changing uniforms and
conducting checkpoints, the residents of the county were upset," Hege said.
"But now that they have seen a reduction in crime, not just drug activity,
but all crime, I have a strong support from the people."

Citizens also complained when he was first elected when deputies began
charging traffic offenders, but soon learned that Hege was elected to
protect and serve them against all criminals.

"We process our own impaired drivers," he said. "I'm sworn to enforce all
the laws of North Carolina. Why should I call another agency to process an
impaired driver just because they focus on traffic violators."

His Team 101 rounded up 101 drug dealers in one night after an undercover
operation. "We originally had 100, but the team wanted to go out and get
one more to match their number," he said.

Hege said drug activity contributes 75 to 80 percent of all crimes.

With the low crime rate, Hege has seen industrial and residential growth in
Davidson County.

"We've had a huge influx of residential housing in our county," he said.
"People enjoy living where they can sit in their yard without feeling
threatened or ride down to the corner grocery after dark without fear of
being assaulted or robbed."

Sheriff Thornton has juggled monies within his budge the past few weeks in
order to reach the end of the fiscal year. During the short time he has
been in office he has also taken great steps to modernize the Sampson
County sheriff's office, but knows there is still work to be done.

"By training my deputies in drug interdiction and checkpoint operations, I
hope to reduce all crime in Sampson County," Thornton said. "If there is
drug forfeiture money or property to be seized, we can use that rather than
that of the tax payers money."

Thornton added that he wants the citizens of Sampson County to feel safe
and well protected.

"The people know what is happening in their communities," he said. "They
know which house has cars in and out at all hours of the night, or which
one is constantly moving electronic equipment or tools.

"By working together, we can reduce the crime rate in Sampson County.
Together, we can make this a better place to live."