The multiple-county anti-drug task force responsible for the arrests of two Athens residents last week could lose local police assistance pending the result of the Athens County sheriff's race.
But, Athens Police officers absolutely would no longer be a part of a joint task force if Democratic nominee Pat Kelly becomes Athens County sheriff, said Athens Police Chief Richard Mayer in a February interview.
I don't trust (Kelly). G? I don't want to endanger my officers
Mayer said.
Mayer declined to comment further yesterday on whether Athens Police would stay in the task force if Kelly or Republican candidate Stephen Kane wins, only adding, Stephen Kane is a good man.
Both Mayer and Athens County Sheriff Vern Castle stated that a Kelly administration could be the end of Athens County's participation in the task force.
I cannot and will not support Pat Kelly under any circumstances
Castle said.
No other department said they would cease involvement in the task force.
When I'm elected sheriff
I will look at the pluses and minuses of the program and decide what to do
Kelly said, adding that he cannot control what Mayer says.
Kane said he also will examine the program.
Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks established the task force to conduct drug busts on a large scale in Athens, Washington and Morgan counties, Mincks said.
The program's most recent arrests came on Sunday. The task force arrested James Pridgen, who was in possession of $1,600 in cash, a loaded handgun, drug paraphernalia and about 7.2 pounds of marijuana in a Riverpark Towers apartment. Aria Jackson was arrested as well for trafficking LSD and possession of 140 unit doses, according to a news release.
The task force consists of one officer from the Athens Police Department, Athens County Sheriff's Office, Marietta Police Department and Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, two deputies who alternate between part and full time from the Morgan County Sheriff's Office and five deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Mincks said.-
17
Archives
Ryan Dunn
