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March 5, 2008
GOVERNOR SUBMITS PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH DRUG ENFORCEMENT BUREAU...THE FORMER NARCOTICS STRIKE FORCE As part of his Administration's unrelenting efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness in law enforcement, Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has submitted legislation to the 27th Legislature to abolish the Drug Enforcement Bureau, formerly known as the Narcotics Strike Force. "Our people must be safe and our police must be a unified and effective weapon to make this so. Our people demand this and so do I," deJongh said in announcing the measure. "I am confident that this is a goal shared by all Senators.” The latest legislation makes good on a pledge deJongh made in his January 22 State of the Territory Address where the Governor outlined his Administration’s goals for the year ahead in terms of increasing the overall effectiveness of law enforcement. The Governor noted that the Drug Enforcement Bureau (DEB) has not lived up to its mandate and called for a clean slate for the investigation and prosecution of violations of V.I. drug laws. In his transmittal letter to Senate President Usie Richards, deJongh wrote, "There have not been any recent convictions based on the actions of the DEB while the Government has continued to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to support this agency." The Governor pointed out that a name change in 2005 from "Narcotics Strike Force" to "Drug Enforcement Bureau" did not assist the agency in removing itself from its previous taint and that neither local nor federal prosecutors will prosecute cases brought to them by the DEB. "This situation is untenable and cannot continue," deJongh wrote in his correspondence to the Senate. The Governor explained that the abolishment of the DEB is further evidence that his Administration is serious and focused in its efforts to combat drug possession, distribution and abuse and is willing to make necessary changes rather than to leave failed efforts in place. "Instead, we are looking to remove a lingering distraction so that our law enforcement officers can focus on the challenges presented by drug dealers and users." DeJongh said the Police Department will continue to work with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and other federal entities to pursue those who violate drug laws. In addition, the V.I. Police Department will develop its own division dedicated to investigating drug offenses. "By re-focusing our energies in this sphere of law enforcement, we can enhance our ability to take drug offenders from arrest through prosecution." |
