1999-158 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SPY 2000 Drug Control and System Improvement Formula Grant Program Edward Syme Memorial State and local Assistance The grant year 1996-97, reflected an increase in work load for the M.A.C.E. Unit. Along with crack cocaine and growing marijuana activity, enforcement and effort were made to address the growing problem of teenage use of Rohypnol, Extacy, and LSD and resulted in several arrest in these areas of abuse, Another problem area addressed is an organized effort to committ prescription fraud throughout multiple jurisdictions. A group scattered in three counties had a network of obtaining ui"luidud(syrthatic hereon ) by fraud, Eighteen 4iJ5t7'3 WR'JiC fTlclt7e in Sn15 effort. The shipment and use of anabolic steriods from the state of Florida and the USA to France resulted in arrests. It would be extremely difficult to pursue this type of ellicit activity without this task force concept. The grant year 1997-98 has been a blur of activity for the M.A.C.E. Unit. The most popular drugs, with the exception of heroin, have slithered their way into the fabric of Indian River County Society, Juvenile marijuana use has increased to 35% among high school students and so have the arrests. The M.A.C.E. Unit, in concert with the local school superintendent, conducted a three month '"undercover operation", This operation involved having a law enforcement officer pose as a student. This was an intelligence gathering operation that yielded important information on the attitude of our young people regarding drugs. Five adult offenders were arrested for selling narcotics to high school students. An increase of prescription fraud cases have kept the M.A.C.E, detectives busy. The overall activity is reflected by five of the grant objectives being met or exceeded with several months till the end of the grant year. This task force concept allows us to accomplish our goals that would not be reached without it. The continued funding of this project is imparative for effective drug enforcement and education in Indian River County. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Multi- Agency Criminal Enforcement. Unit (M.A.C.E.), task force, is comprised of officers from the Indian River County Sheriffs Office, the Vero Beach Police Department, and the Sebastian Police Department. Activities of the Unit are overseen by a coordinating board comprised of the Indian River County Sheriff and Police Cheifs from both Vero Beach and Sebastian Police Departments. The board meets on a quarterly basis and more frequently when necessary. The number of officers assigned to the unit varies depending on which agency provides the task force Director. The Director is choosen by a unanimous vote of the Board. There are uaually a minimum of five (5) members assigned to the the task force under the full and sole supervision of the task force director. The goal of the task force is to supress the current level of drug activity throughout Indian River County. This goal is being achieved by consolidating the wide variety of talent, expertise, ideas, and resources of the three member agencies. The combination of these resources, coupled with financial and material resources offered through the grant, has created a motivated, coordinated and cohesive unit dedicated to combating the drug problem. The members of the task force are housed in an off-site location, away from the local law enforcement facilities. They are provided with unmarked vehicles that allow them to blend in with the lay popluation without detection of their offical job function. The work area for the task force is equipped with necessary work items; telephones, computers for report writing and statistical analysis, office supplies, and the funding for confidential informants and drug buys. The basic Premise of the M.A.C.E. Task Force role has expanded. The Sheriffs Office currently has a detective assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.) Regional Task Force. This has allowed us to expand our local investigations. Vele maintain a close relationship with federal agencies in our area. subgrent Appiicetbn section 11 - Peas 4 or 16