SENDING A MESSAGE

The simultaneous roundups of street-level drug dealers Monday in Covington
and Newport undoubtedly sent the message Mayor Butch Callery said he intended.

"We want to put out the word that we're not going to tolerate drugs in the
community," he said after 60 officers from federal, state and local police
agencies swept in on Covington's Eastside neighborhood and Newport Housing
Authority apartments.

Investigations conducted over several months in the two cities resulted in
warrants for the arrest of more than 60 people. Drugs, money and weapons
were seized in the roundups that saw more than 40 people arrested over two
days. More arrests are expected.

The crackdown was welcomed by concerned residents of the two neighborhoods
who have long complained about the growing drug trade and prostitution and
violence that often goes hand in hand with it. They have clamored for
stepped up policing.

Many who live in the neighborhood say the problem rests not with residents
but with dealers who use their neighborhood to sell drugs to people who
come in from the outside.

They know that the drug trade is a cancer that must be removed to ensure
their neighborhoods are safe places where elderly residents can walk about
without fear, children can play outdoors and families can feel secure in
their homes.

The roundup sends a loud and clear message that the malignancy of drugs
won't be tolerated.

But to get through, the message must be sent over and over again. The
police presence and pressure must be kept on and, most important, concerned
residents must stand united with police to root out those who would ruin
their neighborhood.