Madison Township’s Detective Bureau may be a one-man operation, but drug-dealing criminals operating in the area are caught with the help of concerned citizens.
Detective Jim Gavin briefed the Madison Township trustees at their Nov. 19 meeting on recent drug busts conducted by law enforcement officers. He said, in the last few months, the department received a number of drug complaints, especially in the northern portion of the township.
"What we’re getting back in our area is a lot of heroin, but we’re no different than anywhere else," reported Gavin. "It’s there, people just don’t know it."
At a Zimmer Road address, marijuana and cocaine were seized and an Evanston Road drug bust at a house located next to Asbury Elementary shut down a basement full of growing marijuana plants. Gavin called the set-up "elaborate." At one location, the detective said an individual was selling drugs out of his bedroom window.
"These were extended investigations," said Gavin. "They weren’t done overnight. It takes time."
Complaint procedure questioned
Blacklick Estates resident Rose Phillips continued her quest to hold the Madison Township police department and trustees accountable for their actions and wanted to know why Madison Township Administrator Judy Edwards ruled on an investigation prompted by a complaint filed by Phillips.
Following the trustees’ regular board meeting on Sept. 17, during which Phillips questioned Trustee Jim Hummel and Police Chief Greg Ryan on allegations of a law enforcement quota system and a statement made by Ryan regarding service in the Blacklick Estates area, Phillips filed a complaint against both men.
"Why did Ms. Edwards not take the complaint out of the township?" said Phillips. "She is under your employment and it would be a conflict of interest for her to rule my complaint ‘unfounded.’ Why can she decide it is unfounded? It’s like she’s investigating her boss."
Trustee Denny White assured Phillips the issue will not be "swept under the rug" and concerns regarding an alleged personal abuse of public equipment will be investigated, if warranted.
Other Madison Township news
•Two Madison Township area students were honored for their artistic endeavors in support of Fire Prevention Week. Fire Inspector John Jones said students in grades first through fifth were invited to design posters pertaining to fire safety.
Posters created by Kerris Williams and Sarama Suzuki were selected as the top two in Madison Township and submitted to the State Fire Marshal office for consideration for a calendar produced by the office. Both students were honored for their artwork and will be treated to a ride on a fire engine and serve as "Chief for a Day."
•Road Superintendent Terry Spangler said salting during winter storms won’t be "business as usual" this year due to dwindling supplies. The township was allocated 211 tons of road salt at $69 a ton by the county. When the supply is exhausted, Spangler reported there is no more, at least from the county.
"We have implemented several salt-saving measures," said Spangler. "We will do what we can, but don’t expect bare streets."
•Trustee Susan Brobst said an upcoming Waste Management surcharge for fuel and the environment could be less than expected, but, because diesel fuel used by trash trucks is more expensive than what consumers pay at the pump, residents will still be assessed the fee.
