Drug Crimes in Small Towns

Drug crimes in rural areas isn't anything new, and it's not surprising that drugs can sometimes run through and sustain in small communities. Whether it be from boredom and lack of things to do or sometimes the slower economy in slow areas marijuana, meth amphetamines, and other drugs can be quite common. I decided to look into some of the drug problem in my own small community and see how it may or may not be affecting the area.

After spending some time with the EPD (Ellensburg Police Department) and thoroughly questioning some of the officers as well as doing some research online I think the EPD is doing an excellent job working on keeping drugs and high crimes out of the area. I spoke with Sgt. Jim Weed of the EPD during a ride along around the city for almost a full shift as well as dispatchers and a few correctional officers, not surprisingly there are drugs running through our area. The EPD could not obviously share many facts about ongoing cases, but I was told that there were lots of cases and information sharing going on and in fact the investigations going on in the area had promise.

Lately in the local Daily Record I had noticed some cases that were obviously breaking. ( http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_fd1a5cdc-1806-11df-90b1-001cc4c03286.html ) I can only hope the individuals arrested in this case find the law to act swift based on the evidence that has been built on the case. I actually spend quite a bit of my time in the area these individuals were arrested at (500 block of S Pine) and I myself would have never have known there was such a problem going on. I'm very glad that the EPD was able to remove the issue from this area because this community is quiet and full of families, elderly and disabled.

It seems in this smaller town a majority of the calls I witnessed coming in were more alcohol related, as well as a few prowler related calls. Sgt. Weed seemed to think that usually the prowler calls they received tend to tie in with the drug problem in the area. Which is another reason it is important for our EPD to continue to do their job. I just want to thank my local PD for the job they continue you to do.