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County Has Drug Problem, Gang Presence

Crime | Sat, 02/11/2012 - 5:25 pm | Updated 13 weeks 5 days ago | Read 6888 | Commented 24 | Emailed 12

By Jack Fichter

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ERMA — “We have a drug issue in Cape May County,” Eugene Taylor, chief of detectives of the county Prosecutor’s Office, told an audience at a Lower Township police community meeting Feb., 7. He said the county did not have a gang problem but had a “gang presence.”

“We have Bloods, occasionally we get a Crips down here,” said Taylor.

He said a gang, largely Hispanic, called G25s, has been developing from the county jail. Taylor said unlike major urban cities, gangs here were not battling on street corners to control the drug market or participating in drive-by shootings every night. He said he had not seen any member of the Latin Kings in Lower Township, but they have been seen in Wildwood. Netas are rarely seen in the area, said Taylor.

He said there is a drug problem in Lower Township. He said the prosecutor’s office narcotics unit works hand-in-hand with Lower Township police detectives.

“When you take powdered cocaine, and you cook it up as rock, you can make crazy money,” he said. “This isn’t about having a good time, this is about money.”

He showed a slide presentation depicting cocaine packaged in small $10 bags.

Taylor said new trends in drug distribution include making it multi-colored and flavored, with the idea of marketing towards children. Coloring also makes cocaine easier to hide.

An example of profit made converting powered cocaine to Crack: drug dealer purchases 4.4 ounces at $26 per gram for a total of $3,125 or $710 per ounce. Cooking it to Crack, 1 gram of powder converts to 0.98th of a gram of Crack, 125 grams= cooked: 2 grams lost in process plus 10 for waste= 113 grams which has a street value of $11,300.
The bottom line: $11,300-$3,124 for purchase and $30 for cook matter = profit of $8,146.

Taylor said if you see something in your kid’s room that looks like a small glass tube with burn marks on one end, “someone is smoking rock.”

“It amazes me how many people are overdosing on heroin,” he said.

Taylor said he saw an 18-year old sitting dead on the toilet of an overdose, with a needle hanging in his arm, seven months after he graduated from Ocean City High School.

PCP is not as prevalent as it was in the past, he said.

“If you see a person running around naked, don’t mess with them, because that’s one of the things that come out of PCP,” said Taylor. “It makes people extremely agitated, hot and gives them almost super human strength.”

He said he saw a person high on PCP with a 13-inch knife stuck through their hand running around trying to stab people with the blade of the knife. Taylor said PCP has a strong ether smell to it. Cigarettes can be dipped in PCP, and they will appear brown in color.

Taylor said kids are making big money from marijuana. He said a 19-year old boy was arrested recently with $19,000 found in his room.

Illegal use of prescription drugs are out of control, said Taylor. He named drugs such as Percocet and Xanax.
Users will scrape the time-release coating off Oxycontin tablets and smoke it or snort the drug, said Taylor.

He used a term called “Pharming,” where youth steal parents' and grandparents' medications. Parties are organized to down fistfuls of various prescription drugs. Leftover medication should be disposed of at the police station.

A new genre of drugs is fake marijuana such as K-2, which was formerly legal. A year or two ago, a product marketed as bath salts was being snorted, said Taylor. He said kids are hiding money and dope in fake containers that look like books or CD cases.

Taylor urged anyone with suspicions of drug activity in their neighborhood to call police. It is not necessary to give your name to a dispatcher, he said. Taylor said just because police know there is a drug dealer in a house, they cannot just break down the door and enter the residence. He said he must be able to prove it to a judge on a piece of paper called a search warrant.

“If I know a drug dealer's in that house, I’m going to do everything I can to get in that house and take his drugs and put him in my favorite place,” said Taylor. “I became a police officer because I wanted to help people; I wanted to help them into jail if they were doing something wrong, and that’s still what I want to do, but I’m never going to violate the Constitution.”

He said a report from a resident of drug activity at a home “may be enough to get me in the door.” An anonymous phone call is another “piece of the puzzle,” that may put it over the edge, providing enough probable cause to enter the dwelling, said Taylor.

Lower Township Police Chief Brian Marker asked residents to call or email police. The department’s website is www.lowertownshippolice.com. In addition, Lower Township police can be “liked” on Facebook and followed on Twitter @LowerTwpPolice. The department has an anonymous tip line at (609) 886-1619 ext. 156.

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Fri, 02/17/2012 - 9:30pm - Posted by: 1776

SAILORMAN- I guess you're also foolish enough to believe there are no drugs in Japan.

JOHN F- If alcohol was also illegal, how many people do you think would be incarcerated in addition to those presently incarcerated due to drugs? How many people would still buy/sell/use alcohol in spite of the risk of jail time?

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 6:31pm - Posted by: brian mcalister

My name is Brian McAlister. My clean and sober date is 8-2-1990. I am the President of Full Recovery Inc and the author of the best seller Full Recovery. To put it simply jail doesn't work. When the sentence is complted the problem still exists. Almost 90% of prisoners have an alcohol and drug problem. The recisivism rate is almost 90%. That means that 90% of people incarcerated return to prison. Treatment is the only solution for the DISEASE of addiction. Jail doesn't cure addcition anymore than it would heart disease or cancer. We waste untold lives and billions of dollars on a system that does not work. One in 32 people in the USA is currently under the supervision of the Dept. of Corrections. It costs the US economy $600 Billion per year in lost wages, health care and prison. Write your congressman and demand we stop this waste and start TREATING the problem.

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 5:47pm - Posted by: John F

With all the damage that alcohol causes each year, how could anybody be foolish or stupid enough to want to have more legalized intoxicants. Isn't alcohol bad enough? And, in defense of alcohol, it can be used as a beverage in less than intoxicating amounts, where as the only reason someone uses other drugs is to chemically alter their perception of reality. What a sad life they must lead, to have to escape into a drug induced stupor to survive.

Of course there are drugs in Cape May County. When the rich folks ignore the community and go off by themsleves, and the tourists go away for the winter, there is more than enough poverty and ignorance to go around. Poverty, ignorance and immaturity are all major factors that contribute to ALL forms of substance abuse. Law enforcement can only do just so much, the real responsibility lies on the parents and educators to teach that life is not something to be escaped from by intoxication, it is something to be embraced (even when it can be painful0.

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 5:00pm - Posted by: Sailorman18949

Japan emposses the death penalty for drug smuggling offenses... just saying. Not a bad idea.

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 7:25am - Posted by: tahern

Yes, Cape May County has a problem. Addiction is a huge problem and what makes it worse is the lack of treatment available. Jail does not cure addiction. In fact, it makes the problem even worse which is exactly what we're seeing. All addicts are not criminals. The majority (not all) that are selling are also addicts trying to afford their own needs. This isn't always the case but how many of these local drug dealers are rich and how many blow all their money on drugs for themselves. We need to work on a solution to the real problem. The police need to be on the same page as the governor. If the problem is so big then why isn't the county more involved in treatment at the jail? If you need help for someone contact Parent To Parent at 856-983-3328. They are the biggest advocate for treatment in the state and yet their name never given to people calling for help in Cape May or Atlantic Counties. Addiction is a disease but the treatment must fit the addicts needs or it won't work. Aftercare is just as important. IOP is not rehab or aftercare and that's about all the courts understand.

Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:56pm - Posted by: 1776

SANCHEZ- No, as a matter of fact I didn't need to google the word "denigrate" before using it, though apparently you did. My vocabulary is quite extensive, extensive enough to know what dirty sanchez meant years before Art Hall caught on to it. Extensive enough to know what type of idiot you are for using it in the first place.

I didn't take anything you said out of context. You tried to put me down by using Kmart as the mechanism to do it. But you wound up putting Kmart and all those who shop and work there down in the process. Be careful how you word your insults, because they can easily be turned right back at you and expose you for the knuckle dragging neanderthal that you are.

1776 means so much more than just revolution. But I'll leave that up to you to discover. And thanks for the name tips, but I'll leave the stupid names up to you. You seem to have the market cornered there.

Tue, 02/14/2012 - 10:44am - Posted by: flipper

What a joke as far as the County, and the lack of help available to help anyone with an addiction, or any crisis. Wow, its been this way for decades and, their just figuring it out? Wake up you people who sit behind the desks, get into the real world. Over doses are out of control and hidden from everyone! Thats the shame part.

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 11:29pm - Posted by: Jets Sanchez

1776. It's obvious that you are easily excitable; taking out of content what I said about KMart having for sale. And did you have to GOOGLE the word denigrating before you used it in a sentence? I simply said, "You Need a life" and Kmart has "life" on sale this week. If anything, I helped the economy by pointing you in the right direction to buy something that would help you get straightened out. And Yes, I am Dirty Sanchez and yes I was made to change the name because of easily offended people. But I'm more offended by your name of "1776." Hiding behind numbers that you have no idea what they really stand for. Revolution my friend, revolution. And if you want one, bring it! And btw, you really need to change your name to 666 ,21 Gun Toilet Salute or Number Three!! They all fight your persona !! Happy Valentines Day!! Love and Kisses Sweaty

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 3:45pm - Posted by: whitespider

Anyone who does not already know all of the above is a moron. It is not my problem when the smell of marijuana wafts across the field from my neighbor's bedroom every Sunday. He has a gun. And since when do politicians have anything to do with compassionate community concern? These are the same politicians who are raising rates, fees, and taxes on little old ladies. This journalistic outcry is merely a clever method of butt covering for themselves. Read: "we don't know what to do about all this crime, disease and drug use - so we are putting the problem out there for the public to solve and now our liability is excused and they all will think that we actually give a rip."

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 6:19pm - Posted by: 1776

SANCHEZ- There you go denigrating the fine hardworking people who work and shop at Kmart. I wouldn't expect anything less from a moron like yourself. BTW where do you do your shopping, uptown, at Walmart? What ever happened to your stupid first name?

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 5:23pm - Posted by: Abaddon

YO....kaotic63477..When the drug of choice is legalized and regulated.......what will take it's place for sale on the skreets ???Coke .Crack Heroin????.....What if "enough is enough", was decided years ago ,after prohibition.and this is as good as it gets?????...My advice....Do what you do at home,and realize where your money is being WASTED..After all,, Dependency is weakness,rationalization an excuse,and you are on your own...Cough...Cough....Desired change is Great.Too bad we cant outlaw alcohol, because recovering heroin addicts aren't allowed to drink alcohol...you see,,, alcohol reduces will power, which leads to falling off the wagon...and going home with Fat Chicks...

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 10:31am - Posted by: kaotic6347

Prohibition don't work and never will...It is the individual who needs the desire to change...As long as drugs are in demand and there is a "black market", there will be plenty of people willing to step-up and indulge in the money...With the lack of jobs, rising poverty and foreclosures, we will always have someone willing to take the risk. Not many people will let the things they were once able to work hard for be taken from them when it is not as easy to find a job...$1700.00 a second is spent on the war on drugs and it cost the tax payer $54,000 a year per inmate and we can't even be sure that these people will stop using, dealing or gang-banging...An est. 85% of the people released from prison return within 3 months...Whitney Houston is a good example of why prohibition does not work...Are we saying we should have locked her in a cell???...It is the desired change that comes from within the individual...We need a responsible drug policy and use the tax revenue toward education and treatment, ONLY if the individual desires help...If God cannot change free will, how can we be so ignorant to think we can create all these laws to control the will of free spirited people??? Alcohol and tobacco usage is at an all time low among teens and i sure don't see them selling alcohol or cigarettes...we need responsible regulation to properly address this problem...If we learned anything from alcohol prohibition is that it CREATED the Al Capone's...Since the end of prohibition our streets became considerably SAFER!!!

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 10:12am - Posted by: kaotic6347

Legalize It 420

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 7:49am - Posted by: villainesta

" An anonymous phone call is another “piece of the puzzle,” that may put it over the edge, providing enough probable cause to enter the dwelling, said Taylor"

Yeah, let's hope the cops get the address right or the caller doesn't like your looks so... Whatever happened to Due Process. The War on Drugs is a failure but we are frozen into the incarceration fix because the pols are scared to advocate anything else. ANYTHING else is worth a try. People are going to get high so better accommodate it. Didn't we learn enough from Prohibition?

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 1:01am - Posted by: Jets Sanchez

And I guess Treatment worked for Whitney Houston.

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 1:00am - Posted by: Jets Sanchez

1776. "Life" is on sale this week at KMart! Please go there and get one.......

Sun, 02/12/2012 - 12:20am - Posted by: Cbob

In other news, water is suspected of being wet.

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 11:34pm - Posted by: Doug_C

This isn't new news. So if anyone didn't know we have gangs..and its more than just the crips and bloods deal with it. For the most part so far we are more of a retirement home or a vacation from the real gang world. They are quiet and they keep to themselves. The drug problem isn't new either. I was at the social service building the other day, there was cocaine on the toilet paper dispenser and beer behind the toilet. GUESS WHERE MOST OF YOUR TAX MONEY GOES. For the most part it is just POS people dieing from ODs so who cares

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 11:31pm - Posted by: 1776

WCRESTER- Your argument makes too much sense. Therefore it won't happen.

SANCHEZ-Your argument makes no sense whatsoever, which is why it's yours to begin with.

LEGALIZE IT!!!!

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 8:53pm - Posted by: newnjgirl

Call or emai lthe police! I have done this & met the Polce in person Was told the drug dealers living next to me are small potatoes! In the meantime they are selling drugs & they must snort becuse HE is always blowing his sot in the yard, every day, what should i do now? I am sorry I mssed the meeting, I wanted to atend but wasn't ffeeling well, The Police know who i am because i complain to them about the drug dealers but nothing gets done to the small potatoes. And neither one of them have real jobs, I worked 43 years pay my taxes & have to live next door to drug dealers! non stop traffic all day with their cars & trucks, can someone help me here?

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 6:54pm - Posted by: ABSALOM ABSALOM

What’s with all this Beck-bashing? Michael can talk responsibly about Lower’s budget and the staffing needs of its law enforcement. Some think more of them/their relatives/friends need to be on he township payroll. The only circus going on in Lower is the Grand Old Patronage System’s stranglehold on Council with Deputy Dog, the DUI, and Captain Conrad. They’re enriching themselves and gave the Manager a 8.8% raise--my Social Security was only 3.6%, Go figure and I‘m registered Republican!

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 6:15pm - Posted by: Wcrester

There is a drug problem EVERYWHERE. I don't pretend to know the answer, but obviously the current "systen" has not and does not work. Will not "violate the constitution".. Don't by that either. Incrimination instead of cure. Throw drug addicts in already overcrowed jails, that are already overflowing, where they can continue to get drugs anyway. Not the answer. I don't really believe most drug addicts want the life they've signed up for.

The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world. In recent decades the U.S. has experienced a surge in its prison population, quadrupling since 1980, partially as a result of mandatory sentencing that came about during the "war on drugs." TREATMENT WORKS The National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse reports that within 5 years of their release, criminals who received treatment for substance abuse are 4 times less likely to commit another crime than those who did not.

Rehabilitation and recovery is cheaper than incarceration. A study by the Rand Corporation reports that Society saves $7.46 for every $1 spent on treatment

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 5:55pm - Posted by: Jets Sanchez

Sorry, I can't believe this article. It's all smoke and whistles. A Dog and Pony Show!! Mayor beck has guaranteed us all that there is no drug problem in Lower Township. While campaigning in "08" he stood in my relatives house and said "Lower Township has too many cops and there is no reason for there to be "so" many." "We don't have a drug or burglary problem in Lower Township; we can cut the department in half!" Now I ask you people, who are you going to believe? The Chief of Detectives from our County who for years worked for the FBI, or Mayor beck who claims his years of teaching at The Philadelphia Police Academy (and lack of street knowledge and smarts) can give the knowledge to make such statements?? If you believe Chief Taylor and what every cop has been saying on this blog, pressure Beck to hire more cops to make us safer. Or you can believe Beck, hide in your house and become a victim some night! And if Beck was such a good teacher at the academy, why is Philly riddled with crime??

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 5:45pm - Posted by: Syd Barrett

You've had a drug problem in CMC for years. You're now just admitting and/or surprised about it at an executive level? Why should people get real jobs when you can make several thousand dollars a week with little or no effort-the only drawback is being apprehended by law enforcement? You may be able to fractionally control the problem but in reality the presence will never cease. Just like the song says "it's the lure of easy money; It's got a very strong appeal"

Columnated Ruins Dominoe......




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