HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7665 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7665
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 15, 1992
FORT WORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT TARGET
USERS PROGRAM
Targeting Retail Users is a program designed to target the demand side of the illicit drug
trade. Enforcement techniques have tended to focus on the dealer or supply side of the
problem. In an effort to reduce the market by retail buyers, or demand side, this
cooperative agreement between the Fort Worth Police Department, Drug Enforcement
Administration, US. Marshal's Service (North/Texas) and the United States Attorney's
Office has been drawn up to allow for the confiscation and seizure of the vehicles used
by retail drug purchasers. In brief the program will work as follows:
The Fort Worth Police Department will target a high volume drug sales location and
establish covert surveillance at the location. When a drug buyer leaves the location,
uniformed officers will stop the vehicle at a location a safe distance from the targeted
sales location. The stop of the vehicle will be based upon probable cause developed
from the surveillance and the vehicle will be searched either with a Consent to Search
or based upon the probable cause established. If drugs are located in an amount upon
which an arrest can be made and a formal case filed, the vehicle will be confiscated for
ible Federal Administrative seizure proceedings. The narcotics possession case will
be filed in state court.
After successful seizure, the vehicles will be sold or put into service by the City of Fort
Worth. In the event of a sale, the US. Marshal's Service will send 85% of the proceeds
to the City of Fort Worth. If the vehicle is of usable quality and put into service by the
City of Fort Worth, the City shall send funds in the amount of 15% of the appraised
value to the U.S. Marshal's Service. Each operation win be reviewed by involved
agency heads as to feasibility of continuance. The program has a 180 day operational
period and is limited to one actual operation in each seven day period.
In targeting drug buyers,drug enforcement officials are giving notice that a no tolerance
policy is in effect. Police theorists believe that as much as 60% to 75% of property
crimes are a direct result of drug users attempting to obtain money to support their
habit. Discouraging the buyers in this manner sends a clear message that no sales or use
will be accepted in our community.
If you have any questions about this new program, please don't hesitate to contact me
or lAbby Watson at 871-6140.
ORICK WORD
Bob Te CRY SECRITARY
ity IM4Zanager FT. WORTH, TEX, J
"ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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