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West Metro Cooperative Drug Project Success
Every city in Minnesota is
faced with the challenge of how to keep illegal drugs out of the hands
of our youth. Cities in the
west metro suburbs are no different from any other community. No different,
EXCEPT that they formed a unique partnership between eight municipalities
covered by three police departments, the Hennepin County Sheriff and County
Attorney’s Office, the Minneapolis Drug Lab, the Drug Enforcement Administration,
and the Orono School District.
The West Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) continues to work in the area. The WMDTF is a partnership with Orono, Medina, West Hennepin Public Safety, Mound and Hennepin County Sheriff's office.
Director Ray McCoy of the West Hennepin Department
of Public Safety said, “We
heard from students, parents, teachers and members of the community that
our young people are exposed to nearly every kind of street drug and 
we believed
we could target their suppliers. “We got the police departments that
serve the west metro communities together and we put our resources where
we could make a real difference.”
The police used information that came directly out of the western suburban area. It led to dealers in jurisdictions all over the metro area and even into Wisconsin. The three officers worked with the police and drug task force officers in other cities and the DEA and the FBI. They worked cases on small amounts of controlled substances that wouldn't necessarily attract the attention of a larger agency or task force. They conducted interviews, used intelligence information, prepared and served search warrants. In six months they arrested forty-one people, seized a total of $880,000 in street drugs, $108,000 cash, eight vehicles, ten rifles, and nine handguns.
Orono Schools, Orono Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth, and Partners in Prevention, faith communities and the civic leaders in the west metro are sending a clear message that they will not tolerate alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and that they will continue to take positive action. “We are working on prevention, intervention and enforcement strategies simultaneously. Our communities are working together for the health and safety of our youth,” said Melanie DeLuca, Director of Community Education in Orono.
Superintendent of the Orono School District, Dr. Karen Orcutt said, “The administrative team is grateful to the police departments for their work, and we want them to know we appreciate it very much.”
Medina Chief Ed Belland said, “We are not permitting drug use and drug dealing in the western suburbs. Our law enforcement community, our schools, our city officials, parents, and citizens are taking this problem head-on and we are making a difference.”
“If you are a parent, you need to look for the signs and engage your child early on. Look for changes in friends, changes in behavior. Be more alert to your child’s first experience. You can seek help through the services supported by Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth.”
“If you are a young person, know that everyone isn’t using - many kids have found a good alternative here at the Discovery Youth Center. If you are involved with someone who is using chemicals - know that we are watching you.”
“If you are a civic leader, help us find the resources to do our jobs better.”
“If you are a drug dealer, don’t bother
dealing to anyone in our area. If you do, expect to face the consequences.”
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