SHERIFFS UNITE TO FIGHT CRIME

A new law enforcement task force, slated to begin in January, will give six
Triad sheriff's offices a new crime fighting tool. "Operation SuperStar"
will give the Guilford, Rockingham, Alamance, Forsyth, Davidson and
Randolph county Sheriff's Departments the chance to fight crime across
county lines, targeting major drug operations and other large crime rings.

SuperStar was announced Thursday at the Guilford County Sheriff's Office
during a meeting that included BJ Barnes, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam
Page, Randolph County Sheriff Litchard Hurley, Davidson County Sheriff
Gerald Hege, Forsyth County Sheriff candidate Bill Schatzman and Alamance
County Sheriff candidate Terry Johnson. Barnes said the task force will
give the departments a specialized focus and increased resources against crime.

"Oftentimes, we can't get to the big guys because we don't have the money
and manpower, but if we pool our resources we can work the major cases,"
Barnes said.

One officer from each department will be assigned to the task force, which
will focus solely on targeting drugs and crime. Barnes said follow-ups and
court cases will be handled by a detective with the department where the
operation occurred.

He said each of the departments individually has similar teams dedicated to
specific efforts, but the task force can work across county lines,
targeting larger operations.

"What will probably happen is each county will come up with a couple people
they want to target but they will work as a team," Barnes said.

The Guilford County Sheriff's Department is also a part of a
multi-jurisdictional task force that includes other local and federal law
enforcement agencies.

Barnes said Operation SuperStar will differ from the federal task force
because the efforts will be in the Triad.

The idea for the task force began with a conversation among officials from
three departments and spread into a Triad initiative.

"We feel now is the time, and there is definitely a need," Barnes said.

SuperStar's first goal will be drug operations, but it will be involved in
any major crimes.

Barnes said in Guilford County, crack-cocaine and crystal meth are the two
biggest drug problems.