Yakima Drug Dealers Paying For The War On Drugs
YAKIMA -- Getting the upper hand on the drug problems facing Yakima is an expensive proposition. KIMA has learned a big part of the bill for drug enforcement comes from the dealers themselves. In fact, the money police take in from one drug busts goes a long way toward making the next.
When it comes to paying for the men and women who spend their careers keeping drugs off Yakima streets, nothing pays a bigger dividend than the dealers themselves. Last year alone, Yakima police raked in more than a million dollars in drugs. All that methamphetamine, dope and coke has to be destroyed. But, all the property and cash that goes with it is worth big bucks to cash-strapped cities like ours.
Truth is, the city couldn't ask for a more generous subsidy than the dealers themselves. These criminals are actually paying for police cars, equipment and even the officers who use them.
"We can't pay all their salaries and wages and all the overtime and equipment, but we do a good portion of it," said Lieutenant Tom Foley.
Lieutenant Foley with the Yakima Narcotics unit said in 2010, YPD seized more than $260,000. That money goes toward not only overtime, but training and upgrades in equipment at YPD.
City manager Dick Zais puts the city’s budget together using drug money, too. In the last few years, it's covered the cost of some emphasis patrols against gangs, saved jobs and paid for the salary of a new prosecutor.
"It's saving our tax dollars or, in turn, saving us from making other budget cuts if this level of funding continues," said Yakima City Manager Dick Zais.
The total take would be ever greater if the city didn't have to forfeit ten percent to the state treasury. Still, the take is an annual windfall here.
The world and Yakima would be a much better place if there were no drugs changing hands on our streets, but that is not the reality. On the other hand, it's nice to know that the dealers and the users are helping to foot the bill for their own capture.
Last month, the city seized more than $70,000 in drug property. More than half came from a single raid last week.
When it comes to paying for the men and women who spend their careers keeping drugs off Yakima streets, nothing pays a bigger dividend than the dealers themselves. Last year alone, Yakima police raked in more than a million dollars in drugs. All that methamphetamine, dope and coke has to be destroyed. But, all the property and cash that goes with it is worth big bucks to cash-strapped cities like ours.
Truth is, the city couldn't ask for a more generous subsidy than the dealers themselves. These criminals are actually paying for police cars, equipment and even the officers who use them.
"We can't pay all their salaries and wages and all the overtime and equipment, but we do a good portion of it," said Lieutenant Tom Foley.
Lieutenant Foley with the Yakima Narcotics unit said in 2010, YPD seized more than $260,000. That money goes toward not only overtime, but training and upgrades in equipment at YPD.
City manager Dick Zais puts the city’s budget together using drug money, too. In the last few years, it's covered the cost of some emphasis patrols against gangs, saved jobs and paid for the salary of a new prosecutor.
"It's saving our tax dollars or, in turn, saving us from making other budget cuts if this level of funding continues," said Yakima City Manager Dick Zais.
The total take would be ever greater if the city didn't have to forfeit ten percent to the state treasury. Still, the take is an annual windfall here.
The world and Yakima would be a much better place if there were no drugs changing hands on our streets, but that is not the reality. On the other hand, it's nice to know that the dealers and the users are helping to foot the bill for their own capture.
Last month, the city seized more than $70,000 in drug property. More than half came from a single raid last week.
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