Kennewick PD reports more drug arrests so far this year
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KENNEWICK, Wash. - The number of burglaries in Kennewick is up. The number of drugs arrests is up as well. It may not be a surprise since the crimes often go hand in hand.
Resident Glen Palen tells me,"They'll steal just about anything for drugs. I've known people that just, everything stolen from their house, from their person just to support people with drug habits."
He speaks from experience. He says he's known people to not only steal, but sell their bodies for drugs. Glen lost his own daughter to drugs just a short time ago. The outbreak in burglaries and drug arrests hit close to home.
Kennewick Police made six busts in just the past few days. Officers increased their presence downtown. This has helped turn up 11 percent more drug violations this year compared to last year.
Arrests for drugs or paraphernalia jumped 20 percent year to year.
The higher number of arrests could be good, there's more arrests being made. Or bad, there's more drugs on the street, depending on your point of view. For cops, it doesn't matter. They're in the business of busting drug criminals who often rely on committing burglaries to feed their habits.
Police get even more help from partners like the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force who focus on busting high level drug traffickers.
Sgt. Ken Lattin said, "People will say well there needs to be prevention, there needs to be enforcement, there needs to be education. It really is a combination of all those things. It has to be."
For Glen, education didn't save his daughter. He believes in the power of the badge.
"Increasing the police force, because of the drugs that are coming into the area, which is a good thing. I support that," he said.
Most neighbors would agree.
Police tell KEPR they often come across drug offenders when catching burglary or vehicle prowl criminals. Since they're booked for the theft, the real numbers for drug-related crimes could be even higher.
Resident Glen Palen tells me,"They'll steal just about anything for drugs. I've known people that just, everything stolen from their house, from their person just to support people with drug habits."
He speaks from experience. He says he's known people to not only steal, but sell their bodies for drugs. Glen lost his own daughter to drugs just a short time ago. The outbreak in burglaries and drug arrests hit close to home.
Kennewick Police made six busts in just the past few days. Officers increased their presence downtown. This has helped turn up 11 percent more drug violations this year compared to last year.
Arrests for drugs or paraphernalia jumped 20 percent year to year.
The higher number of arrests could be good, there's more arrests being made. Or bad, there's more drugs on the street, depending on your point of view. For cops, it doesn't matter. They're in the business of busting drug criminals who often rely on committing burglaries to feed their habits.
Police get even more help from partners like the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force who focus on busting high level drug traffickers.
Sgt. Ken Lattin said, "People will say well there needs to be prevention, there needs to be enforcement, there needs to be education. It really is a combination of all those things. It has to be."
For Glen, education didn't save his daughter. He believes in the power of the badge.
"Increasing the police force, because of the drugs that are coming into the area, which is a good thing. I support that," he said.
Most neighbors would agree.
Police tell KEPR they often come across drug offenders when catching burglary or vehicle prowl criminals. Since they're booked for the theft, the real numbers for drug-related crimes could be even higher.
