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Money for drug task force cut
Published Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Funding for the 4th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force has been cut, but District Attorney Michael Jackson said that would not affect its operation.
The drug task force is funded through a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
Funding for the program last year was $150,000. ADECA approved $65,000 for the 2008-09 fiscal year that runs from October to September.
Jackson said because of the ongoing war in Iraq, funding for drug task forces across the country has taken a hit.
“The DA’s office has to make up all this money that they cut out of the grant,” Jackson said. “Some DA’s offices didn’t even apply for the grant because there’s so little money that they’re giving out this year.”
The district attorney’s office is required to put up 50 percent of the proposed $300,000 of the task force’s budget.
Assistant District Attorney Jimmy Thomas has sought the help of municipalities in the six counties the task force serves. He also said that continuing the task force means cutting a piece out of the overall budget for the district attorney’s office.
“One thing we’re going to have to do is cut a portion of the operating expenses out of our budget. That’s about $45,000,” Thomas said.
Comments
Posted by starman (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The war on Drugs has taken a back seat . Terrorists are living in OUR neighborhoods ! It seems so little progress has been made cleaning up our own streets , now , with less money , it will be harder . What's next ,,,
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's just what Selma DIDN'T need. As if we don't have enough problems trying to de-thug our streets already. I just don't get the priorities that some set. Insane.
Posted by getitreal2008 (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder what happens to the money that is confiscated from the druggies and dealers. If it doesn't, the money should be able to go back into the pot from the county or city it was taken from. Use the money they get illegally to help stop them, justice, wouldn't you think? As for things taking back seat to the war over seas, I am all for standingup for what is right and since we are at war, I will not say it is wrong because that is like saying our soldiers are doing something wrong, but I do believe our first priority should be our own nation first and then anothers because I do believe that our main reason for being over there now is to help them to not destroy each other more than we are trying to protect our country.
Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NO EXCUSE!!! I agree with (getitreal2008) the money from the drugs that Selma has confiscated from our criminals, and they are our criminals because they live among us, put it towards the drug task force. What about that BIG DRUG BUST last year. Selma busted a whole neighborhood almost. The biggest drug bust in Selma history. What happen to all that money? Or was most of it drugs?
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure most of that was stolen last year from the safe. Where is THAT money?
Posted by HD3187 (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The money that is confiscated from drug dealers is held until it is awarded to the SPD Narcotics Unit. Once it is awareded then the funds can be used to fight the war on drugs. But that money is utilized by your city drug unit. The task force has NOT worked one single case in the police jurisdiction in over three years, but the city council continues to give them money. Why? Only the city drug unit has worked cases inside the jurisdiction. And the money from the St. Phillips deal? There was a check. But since there was no drug unit, the feds had to forward that money to Washington. Thanks to your former mayor and police chief that let the city go without a unit for over a year. Remember, there is a difference between the task force and the city drug unit. One doesn't even work in the city limits and one has been working as hard as they can to make a change.
Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK if there is a problem with the drug task force, I am willing to donate whatever I can to help keep this city of Selma free from drugs. That was a very GOOD JOB they did last year, on that drug bust and I use to live over near that area. Now we as citizens must reach out and help, because this is a very very dangerous job, the task force life is truly on the line. So when I am in town, tell me where I can drop off some money towards this system or mail it. I will be more than happy, because I know that drugs may go on forever. But at least you can save a life.
Posted by mccrary36703 (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok if the task force has not worked a case. Who do we support? The drug unit? This is not good.
Posted by Toad (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HD3187 is dead on. We now have a SPD Drug Unit again, so the city's efforts need to go in to supporting them and the rest of the PD, not a group that does nothing for the city.
Posted by HD3187 (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The SPD does have a drug unit up and running and from what I've heard, they have conducted at least six search warrants in the last few months and they're still moving forward. Support your local PD. Once these thugs out here see that they have no support or leg to stand on, they'll move on somewhere else.
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