Oct. 26, 2010
Unsigned Warrants, Police, Prosecutors Provide a Second Chance Choice to Selected Non Violent Drug Offenders
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Imagine the thought process of a suspected drug offender walking into a room filled with members of area law enforcement, along with Cabell County Prosecutor Chris Chiles and the federal prosecutor. For their examination, an unsigned warrant for their arrest.
It isn’t often that second chances come for those involved in the continuing scourge of dispensing and possessing addictive drugs. But, five people at the intervention Thursday. October 21, will work with the community members and resources on achieving that goal. One of the requirements of the second chance will be random drug testing.
Known as Huntington’s Drug Market Intervention Initiative will give five of six “criminals” with nonviolent crimes ranging from drugs possession to prostitution an opportunity to change their ways, rather than face prison. Those selected had a choice, but a brief interview with Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook revealed the seriousness and of the decisions that occurred October 21 in this community outreach program.
“We invited six people to take us up on this. Five showed up,” Holbrook explained. “The one who did not show up is currently wanted for multiple counts of drug trafficking.”
All had been sent a “notification to learn more about the investigations [against them],” Holbrook said.
Upon their arrival, the second chance prospects learned “we had made repeated drug buys [from them] and we were prepared to prosecute to the fullest extinct of the law.”
Their option: “Take us up on an opportunity to change their lives and quit being criminals.”
A similar opportunity was not available to 26 others. The undercover operations have resulted in criminal charges against those with a history of violent crimes.
The program of shutting open air drug markets is modeled after one in High Point, N.C., which has since expanded to 25 additional cities.
At the beginning of the Huntington City Council meeting, Mayor Kim Wolfe noted that the five have been “given a second chance at meaningful lives.”
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Unsigned Warrants, Police, Prosecutors Provide a Second Chance Choice to Selected Non Violent Drug Offenders
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Imagine the thought process of a suspected drug offender walking into a room filled with members of area law enforcement, along with Cabell County Prosecutor Chris Chiles and the federal prosecutor. For their examination, an unsigned warrant for their arrest.
It isn’t often that second chances come for those involved in the continuing scourge of dispensing and possessing addictive drugs. But, five people at the intervention Thursday. October 21, will work with the community members and resources on achieving that goal. One of the requirements of the second chance will be random drug testing.
Known as Huntington’s Drug Market Intervention Initiative will give five of six “criminals” with nonviolent crimes ranging from drugs possession to prostitution an opportunity to change their ways, rather than face prison. Those selected had a choice, but a brief interview with Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook revealed the seriousness and of the decisions that occurred October 21 in this community outreach program.
“We invited six people to take us up on this. Five showed up,” Holbrook explained. “The one who did not show up is currently wanted for multiple counts of drug trafficking.”
All had been sent a “notification to learn more about the investigations [against them],” Holbrook said.
Upon their arrival, the second chance prospects learned “we had made repeated drug buys [from them] and we were prepared to prosecute to the fullest extinct of the law.”
Their option: “Take us up on an opportunity to change their lives and quit being criminals.”
A similar opportunity was not available to 26 others. The undercover operations have resulted in criminal charges against those with a history of violent crimes.
The program of shutting open air drug markets is modeled after one in High Point, N.C., which has since expanded to 25 additional cities.
At the beginning of the Huntington City Council meeting, Mayor Kim Wolfe noted that the five have been “given a second chance at meaningful lives.”
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