Published: May 12, 2008 10:29 am      

EGGERT: April showers are giving way to May flowers.

April showers are giving way to May flowers. This is a wonderful time and a welcome change after a long winter. Unfortunately, warm weather also brings the spring flourish of drug dealing and drug-related crime.

Let’s begin with some good news. According to the 2008 report published by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, from 2001 until today there appears to be a “gradual cultural shift” away from drug use. There also appears to be a significant shift away from most drugs for high school age kids, which is welcome news. However, a surprising fact in this report is that for people of the “baby boomer” generation (50-54 years old), illegal drug use has increased. I always hoped that we would all get smarter as we got older (my wife will offer contrary evidence on my own ratio of intelligence to age).

Despite this “gradual cultural shift”, illegal drugs are still a problem in Lockport. Please do not think our drug problem is on the same level as larger communities like Buffalo or Niagara Falls, because it is not. However the problem exists here and must have continuous attention to avoid a loss of control and the serious consequences that would follow. Loss of control for a problem like this would require a vast amount of money and manpower over a long period of time to regain that control. A stark example of this would be in 1992, when the police department lost seven officers due to budget problems. Within six months, crack cocaine was introduced and we turned into “Dodge City” Lockport. I am sure many of you remember the overnight increase in violent crime, property crimes, prostitution and drug dealing. Indirect effects of this drug-induced crime spree were the loss of property values, families leaving the city, and a tarnishing of our reputation as a nice place to live and raise a family. The legacy of this situation is still visible today in many neighborhoods.

What is the police department doing to fight the drug problem? We use a dual strategy that has been very successful: Enforcement and prevention. Obviously enforcement consists of aggressive drug investigations using uniformed officers and detectives assigned to the Niagara County Drug Task Force headed by Chief Mark Dreiss. However, a successful drug enforcement strategy must include an equal effort on drug treatment and prevention. We are lucky to have a very successful treatment program in Lockport Drug Court, headed by Judge William Watson. Drug Court will accept anyone at least 16 years of age or older. With more than 100 clients, the court fills a treatment need and has an excellent record for effectiveness. Any prevention program must also target our children. There have been preliminary meetings with Mayor Mike Tucker and School Superintendent Terry Carbone about reestablishing an enhanced drug prevention program in our city schools. More news in the near future.

Prevention also must include attention to the physical structure of the city. We will be working closely with the recently rejuvenated Building Inspection Department to address housing problems.

What can you do to help police address drug dealing in your neighborhood? Be alert and get involved. Drug investigations are much more successful with information provided by people who live near the drug problems. Some indicators of drug dealing include: A large amount of traffic — both vehicles and pedestrians, neighbors awake all night and sleeping during the day, suspicious activity — especially during the hours of darkness, or an increase in crime such as petty theft or vandalism in your neighborhood. Unfortunately the price of inaction could be more costly to you (in terms of lost property value, theft, or damage) than the price of getting involved. Should you have information regarding suspicious activity in your neighborhood, I strongly encourage you to contact your local police (433-7700). Your calls will be confidential.

Larry Eggert is chief of police for the City of Lockport. Contact him at 439-6633 (chiefeggert@elockport.com) or the Niagara County Drug Task Force at 439-4442.