Money seized by local Arkansas law enforcement in drug-related arrests is being used to fight crime in Miller and Lafayette Counties.
When cash is recovered, members of the Prosecuting Attorneys Office for the 8th Judicial District South, which serves Miller and Lafayette County, Ark., arrange for forfeiture of the funds. Recently the Miller County Sheriff's Office was able to outfit deputies with new Glock pistols paid for with money plucked by law enforcement from the pockets of criminals.
The 35 new firearms replace arms which were about 14 years old, said Miller County Sheriff Jackie Runion. Runion said deputies and the citizens they protect and serve are safer when equipment is up-to-date. As the service weapons age, the possibility of jamming or of a spring breaking increases, MCSO Chief Deputy Mike McQuerry and Sgt. Alan Keller said.
"We wanted to figure out how to do this without seeking money from the public or the Quorum Court," Runion said. "We are fortunate to have such a good relationship with the Prosecuting Attorneys Office."
Runion said some of the funds needed to purchase the new Glocks came from trading in the older models and more than $9,000 came from drug forfeiture money managed by the office headed by Stephanie Black, elected Prosecuting Attorney for the 8th South.
"Over 90 percent are out of state funds traveling south to Mexico after the sale of drugs in communities like ours and those north and northwest of us," Black said. "Seizing these drug funds not only hurts the drug dealers, it allows us to fight the war against drugs using the money that came from drugs."
Black said her office has been able to provide more than $12,000 to the Arkansas State Police for the purchase of security equipment, monitors, cameras and large portable crime scene lights which can illuminate large areas. Drug money has been used to finance the purchase of a drug sniffing canine, computer software, a firearms training simulator and training seminars for the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department, Black said.
The Stamps, Ark., Police Department has a new radar gun bought and paid for with drug money. Plans for spending the cash from drug forfeitures include matching a grantfor the purchase of a radar gun and patrol car for the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office and a new building for the Texarkana, Ark., firing range, Black said.
In addition to the new Glocks recently issued to Miller County deputies, the MCSO has received a shock belt and funds for training seminars financed with drug money. Runion said 19 new medical kits, which include tourniquets and medical equipment for treating serious open and chest wounds, particularly useful in rural areas, were purchased with a $1,000 mini grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Black said her office has overseen the forfeiture of more than $482,640 since she assumed office in 2015. Various law enforcement agencies, including Arkansas State Police, are involved in the drug fund seizures.
"I am proud as the Prosecuting Attorney to assist the Miller County Sheriff's Office in meeting the needs they have to fight crime. We are a team," Black said. "They assist my office in the prosecution of cases and we assist them in any way we can to bring criminals to justice and provide the tools necessary to keep the officers and community safe."