NCJ Number
152756
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 61 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1994) Pages: 46-48
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Burlington County, New Jersey, County Prosecutor's Office established a countywide Narcotics Task Force (NTF) to facilitate drug law enforcement at the municipal level.
Abstract
The NTF is staffed with a commander, a deputy commander, an operations supervisor, five investigators, an attorney, and a secretary. Between 1988 and 1991, the NTF was responsible for over 200 arrests during short-term operations in Burlington City. When the NTF left, however, drug activities resumed. The NTF and the Burlington Police Department then decided to meet with the community and ask what residents wanted done to help them get their streets back. Community residents demanded the removal of drug dealers from their neighborhoods and more police action. They asked for aggressive drug law enforcement and agreed to support the police by providing information. The community was kept informed of and encouraged to participate in drug law enforcement activities. Police officers used several strategies to deal with the drug problem, including undercover operations, surveillance, and interdiction. Other government and private agencies collaborated in cleaning up neighborhoods and in providing positive options for youth. By the time the NTF operation ended, almost 100 people had been arrested, many community programs had been established, and community members felt that they had retaken their streets.