Helicopters available for right price — free
Fighting the war on drugs, and saving taxpayer dollars, are two of the main concerns in Warren County. Both those goals are achieved in one package with the two drug helicopters currently operated by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.
The helicopters were given to the county through a surplus program for absolutely nothing. Even Sheriff Jackie Matheny himself was stunned when he first heard such a program was available some eight years ago.
But the program exists, and after a considerable amount of paperwork on the part of Chief Deputy Danice Taylor, the sheriff’s department received the helicopters for free.
That took care of initial costs and drug offenders pay the rest. Through court costs and money forfeited during drug raids, the sheriff’s department has the money for day-to-day helicopter operations. And deputies have used the helicopters regularly – to the tune of seizing an estimated $15 million worth of marijuana so far this year.
In the words of Matheny, “It’s using bad guys’ money against bad guys.” That’s certainly preferable to using money from the pockets of law-abiding citizens to battle crime.
A common misconception is that the sheriff’s drug program – particularly the helicopters – come at a high price to taxpayers. That train of thought is absolutely wrong.
Without a doubt, the drug problem is one of this county’s overwhelming problems. Nowadays, so many of those problems revolve around meth. That is one overwhelming concern in which no easy solution appears in sight.
While the helicopters aren’t extremely helpful in spotting meth labs, a few labs have been spotted from the air atop Harrison Ferry Mountain. And the number of marijuana fields which have been discovered are too many to count.
When trying to keep drugs out of our children’s hands, every bit helps and the helicopters are certainly proving to be useful additions. The fact the helicopters are being funded by the drug offenders themselves is even more gratifying.
It’s yet another example of county officials utilizing grant money and other programs to benefit our community. Most of us expect certain basic services and a degree of crime prevention – without an astronomical tax rate.
By utilizing the surplus program and drug fund to finance Warren County’s helicopters, taxpayers are certainly receiving valuable services at a reasonable price — for free.