$190K RECEIVED TO FUND TASK FORCE

Gov. Don Siegelman has awarded a $190,000 grant that will be used to start
a drug task force in the Black Belt.

According to District Attorney Ed Greene, the governor's office along with
the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has awarded the
fourth judicial circuit a $190,000 grant that will be used to fight
narcotics and illegal drugs.

Greene added that areas in the Fourth Circuit will also contribute funds to
the task force pushing the budget up to $263,000.

Areas in the Fourth Circuit include Dallas, Perry, Hale, Bibb and Wilcox
counties.

The grant became effective Dec. 1, Greene said, and the task force will be
headed by Robert Henry, a veteran of the district attorney's office.

The grant was applied for by the district attorney's office in September of
this year.

Greene added that first a grant proposal had to be written and submitted to
the reviewing agency, ADECA, before the grant could be awarded.

The grant is for one year, Greene said, and he added that it would be
reapplied for when it comes due.

Greene said that after a few problems had been worked out with the
application it was approved by ADECA.

Henry said that the fourth circuit has a need for the task force because
there is a tremendous amount of drug activity in this part of the state.
Greene said that the drugs of choice in this area included both powdered
and crack cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines.

Henry said that small police departments don't have the manpower to set up
long term operations because they're focusing on disturbance calls and the
usual routine of Saturday night.

Greene added that law enforcement agencies would say that most serious
crimes are drug based.

"Fragmented efforts are not as effective as a coordinated effort," Greene said.

That's where the drug task force comes in.

The grant will provide for personnel, equipment, vehicles and travel costs,
Greene said.

He added that new surveillance equipment wouldn't have to be purchased
since law enforcement agencies already have it and there's no need to
duplicate.

The task force, Greene said, will impact drug trafficking in the fourth
circuit and also make an impact on drug suppression including drug buys and
search warrants.

Personnel, Greene said, will include four full-time employees. Two field
agents, a secretary and Henry himself.

Henry said that an office for the task force has already been set up and
personnel hired.

However, he added, things won't be in full swing until the new year.