The Casa Grande Alliance, a 40-member drug abuse prevention coalition, has created a three-prong response to the recent drug interdiction event. Operation “Fertile Ground” involved four law enforcement agencies over a seven-month period, resulting in the recent indictment of two dozen suspects and seizure of various types and quantities of illegal drugs.
We are sure there are many citizens who share our relief and heartfelt appreciation regarding the outcome of this operation. We are thankful to the law enforcement agencies involved and the Pinal County attorney for their dedication to public safety. Our challenge now is to keep those neighborhoods on the path to remain drug-free.
Neighborhood safety is one of the project goals for the coalition. Our approach is to strengthen the neighborhood to prevent a resurgence of criminal behavior. We know these operations can create a vacuum effect and there are other dealers ready to fill that void, so we devised a three-pronged plan for neighborhood strengthening and remediation. We will provide treatment resource information to addicts whose drug supply has been interrupted by Operation Fertile Ground, and social service referrals for families disrupted by this event. Most importantly, we will work closely with the Casa Grande Police Department to establish block watches in those neighborhoods. Neighborhood block watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It is based on neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance. It includes training to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. Now that these drug-dealing individuals are out of circulation, the community needs to rebuild the neighborhoods by providing resources for those who remain.
We are rising to the challenge presented by County Attorney James P. Walsh to help protect our communities now and in the future from predatory drug dealers. The Casa Grande Alliance can be reached at 836-5022 or www.casagrandealliance.org. For block watch information, contact CGPD Officer Thomas Anderson or Sgt. Al Grijalva at 421-8700 or www.casagrandeaz. gov (Police Department Special Operations page). Donna McBride is chairman of the Casa Grande Alliance. Cindy Schaider is executive director.
