News (Media Awareness Project) - US PA: Editorial: New Intercounty Drug Task Force Is A Step |
| Title: | US PA: Editorial: New Intercounty Drug Task Force Is A Step |
| Published On: | 2001-11-05 |
| Source: | Observer-Reporter (PA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-25 05:29:27 |
NEW INTERCOUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE IS A STEP FORWARD
Greene County's drug-busting capabilities took a giant step forward last week when the county joined with its law enforcement neighbors in Fayette County to form the Greene/Fayette Drug Task Force.
This crime-fighting marriage came about through the efforts of Attorney General Mike Fisher's office that convincingly demonstrated to Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox that her office would be better served by taking advantage of the state's resources.
Subsequent to the official documents signing last Thursday that ceremoniously transferred task force operations to the state, Greene County had been going it alone, so to speak, using what staff Fox could spare for drug investigations, plus the services of a few municipal police forces.
And frankly, this task force had not been accomplishing too much in the last year or so.
We can't recall a drug arrest within the last 12 to 18 months that could be attributed to the district attorney's task force.
Now, Fisher has offered and Greene County has accepted the state's financial recourses, manpower and equipment, but Greene County has not relinquished its autonomy when it comes to launching any drug investigation.
Fisher, who must realize that the local law enforcement officials are the best sources when it comes to identifying drug activity in their municipalities and neighborhoods, made that clear.
We can't find fault with this arrangement. And let it be clear, too, that by signing on with the attorney general, Fox did not abdicate her responsibility to fight drugs. She just realized the fight can be better fought with a larger army.
When Fox first made her intentions public in early October that she was going forward with this arrangement, she told the county commissioners that the other municipal police forces and the county sheriff's department that made up the existing drug tasks force were in agreement with the offer from Fisher.
The commissioners agreed this was a good idea.
And while we don't necessarily adhere to the premise bigger government is better, in this instance, though, we can't find any reason not to think this is the way for Greene County to go.
Greene County's drug-busting capabilities took a giant step forward last week when the county joined with its law enforcement neighbors in Fayette County to form the Greene/Fayette Drug Task Force.
This crime-fighting marriage came about through the efforts of Attorney General Mike Fisher's office that convincingly demonstrated to Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox that her office would be better served by taking advantage of the state's resources.
Subsequent to the official documents signing last Thursday that ceremoniously transferred task force operations to the state, Greene County had been going it alone, so to speak, using what staff Fox could spare for drug investigations, plus the services of a few municipal police forces.
And frankly, this task force had not been accomplishing too much in the last year or so.
We can't recall a drug arrest within the last 12 to 18 months that could be attributed to the district attorney's task force.
Now, Fisher has offered and Greene County has accepted the state's financial recourses, manpower and equipment, but Greene County has not relinquished its autonomy when it comes to launching any drug investigation.
Fisher, who must realize that the local law enforcement officials are the best sources when it comes to identifying drug activity in their municipalities and neighborhoods, made that clear.
We can't find fault with this arrangement. And let it be clear, too, that by signing on with the attorney general, Fox did not abdicate her responsibility to fight drugs. She just realized the fight can be better fought with a larger army.
When Fox first made her intentions public in early October that she was going forward with this arrangement, she told the county commissioners that the other municipal police forces and the county sheriff's department that made up the existing drug tasks force were in agreement with the offer from Fisher.
The commissioners agreed this was a good idea.
And while we don't necessarily adhere to the premise bigger government is better, in this instance, though, we can't find any reason not to think this is the way for Greene County to go.
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