A drug interdiction team of Bellefontaine police officers and detectives formed late last year has successfully investigated more than four dozen incidents, Chief Brandon Standley reported Friday in a formal announcement of the unit.
The team consists of existing officers, detectives and the department’s K-9 Unit.
Police leadership believes the team will provide more efficient reviews of tips, targeting of drug trafficking in the city and help guide addicts onto a path of recovery.
They agreed to rearrange the existing staff and pull officers from each shift to combat the changes in the drug culture.
In recent weeks, the department has served search warrants at separate locations leading to half dozen arrests and seizures of methamphetamine, prescription drugs, heroin and cocaine.
“The relentless pursuit of drug traffickers is a primary focus of the Bellefontaine Police Department,” Chief Standley said. “Without the undivided attention of this unit, more lives will be lost and more crime will occur.”
With the death of Detective Craig Comstock in April, Chief Standley decided it would be a good time to step away from the Logan County Drug Task Force which had existed for nine years.
He is confident that it can have a dramatic impact on neighborhoods when drug tips and leads are received by the department and readily followed up on regardless of the type of situation.
“It is common for family members, friends, or neighbors to feel the need to say something to law enforcement about something they know involving drugs or drug use,” the chief said. “By keeping it simple and managed by the BPD, I am confident that citizens will receive the best service possible through this new team approach.
“We receive tips all the time from our citizens. Some tips are hard to investigate because they may lack details that we may need. It is always helpful to have a method to reach the person that’s leaving the information, even if that person doesn’t want to share their name.”
Each drug tip that’s received is investigated by the unit in a timely manner. Some cases can take just a few days, while other cases can extend for months while suspects are identified and evidence is collected.
The department works with the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office and it is common for multiple cases to be pending at the same time.
It requires solid case management and personal dedication by each detective or officer to not miss things.
Investigations typically start with tips of drug activity in a particular location involving specific suspects. Patrol staff and the unit work together to interdict people bringing drugs in the community through traffic stops. If drugs are found or there is an indication of drug use, the stop can develop into a wider probe of drug trafficking.
The police department is urging family members who battle their loved one’s addiction to not hesitate to contact them for further discussion on how best to get them help.
Addiction, if gone unmanaged, can end in fatal consequences, Chief Standley said, adding, “This service to our residents and their families is a key to improving our neighborhoods.”
Investigators know it takes courage to make the first call, but the team members’ knowledge of local resources, laws, and drug trafficking operations makes them a reliable and dependable starting point for most on the road to recovery.
Officers have helped dozens of families and individuals through the heroin epidemic from 2011 to 2019. They realize the culture shift to methamphetamine addiction and stand ready to help families.
“It is an important step for a family member to call the police department for help,” a team member said. “I hope that we can talk to them, listen to their problems and provide advice of how to work with them to get that person help.
“In the variety of circumstances we see, it is valuable to have an open line of communication with concerned family or friends.”
Chief Standley suggests that each family, friend, neighbor or loved one consider the consequences of not getting involved and not making the call to (937) 599-1010 or directly to the specialized unit at (937) 651-6121.
E-mail communications also can be sent to policechief.
“As time goes by, addiction can worsen at a rapid pace,” he said. “By stepping up and making this important call, we can begin to better understand each circumstance and situation to provide the much-needed support and assistance that most situations deserve.”