Crime Tracker: How one law limits curbing drug activity
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TRI-CITIES -- The KEPR Crime Tracker is constantly following drug activity here in the Tri-Cities. KEPR learned drug arrests and charges are down. However, that doesn't necessarily mean fewer drugs on the street. Police say the change in the law limits what they can do.
"I did everything," said one recovered addict.
He tells KEPR he did everything - from heroine, cocaine, meth and PCP.
He says the drug scene in the Tri-Cities is hard to see.
"I think there are a lot more drugs, but it's more private here," he emphasized.
He was surprised to hear drug-related activity decreased across the Tri-Cities.
I pulled the numbers. Year to date - drug-related charges dropped in Kennewick by seven percent. Drug offenses in Pasco fell by four. Richland saw the biggest decrease - almost 23 percent.
Law enforcement now need probable cause and a search warrant to look through a vehicle for drugs - often times delaying or deterring drug arrests.
It sometimes takes hours for a judge to approve a warrant - making it harder on police.
"Many, many. many times, you would find drugs and drug paraphernalia and a whole lot of illegal items inside a car," said Richland Police Captain Mike Cobb.
"You do exactly what the Supreme Court says and you watch them drive away," said Captain Cobb.
Kennewick Police say putting dealers and users in jail is what curbs the crimes later.
"As long as there's a demand, someone will supply and fill that demand," said Sergeant Ken Lattin.
Cracking down on crime is something that this recovered addict wants, too.
"Officers should be more invasive about things. They could take down things going on behind their backs," he said.
"I did everything," said one recovered addict.
He tells KEPR he did everything - from heroine, cocaine, meth and PCP.
He says the drug scene in the Tri-Cities is hard to see.
"I think there are a lot more drugs, but it's more private here," he emphasized.
He was surprised to hear drug-related activity decreased across the Tri-Cities.
I pulled the numbers. Year to date - drug-related charges dropped in Kennewick by seven percent. Drug offenses in Pasco fell by four. Richland saw the biggest decrease - almost 23 percent.
Law enforcement now need probable cause and a search warrant to look through a vehicle for drugs - often times delaying or deterring drug arrests.
It sometimes takes hours for a judge to approve a warrant - making it harder on police.
"Many, many. many times, you would find drugs and drug paraphernalia and a whole lot of illegal items inside a car," said Richland Police Captain Mike Cobb.
"You do exactly what the Supreme Court says and you watch them drive away," said Captain Cobb.
Kennewick Police say putting dealers and users in jail is what curbs the crimes later.
"As long as there's a demand, someone will supply and fill that demand," said Sergeant Ken Lattin.
Cracking down on crime is something that this recovered addict wants, too.
"Officers should be more invasive about things. They could take down things going on behind their backs," he said.
So we are suppose to just give up our Constitutional Rights for safety... NO THANKS and KEPRO should be in the business of protecting our rights not being used by the local police in a propaganda scheme to take them away..
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The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)