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282 <br /> <br />problem because of the social problems involved, but more <br />police pressure could cut down on street violence. Chief <br />Bowen stated that adding investigators to the force would <br />result in more convictions of out of town drug dealers while <br />adding officers on the street would result in arrests of <br />local drug users. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter questioned whether there are different <br />police strategies which could be used to combat the drug <br />problem and whether adding more police will necessarily help <br />the situation. <br /> <br /> Chief Bowen stated that .having phones in vehicles would <br />be helpful as would having additional substations which would <br />not have to manned at all times but would be available for <br />officers to check into. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he would favor building on <br />what has been successful such as the prevention and treatment <br />programs, including the DARE program, and perhaps add two or <br />three police officers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he felt a comprehensive <br />neighborhood strategy was important, of which the poliCe <br />would be a part. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter and Ms. Daugherty stated that they did not <br />favor having a separate phone line for drug calls and felt <br />911 shoutd be made to work better for this purpose through <br />additional training. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that it appeared that the prevention <br />and treatment initiatives are in place and was interested in <br />efforts which would disrupt the street trade-and street <br />violence, but he was not in favor of simply putting more <br />local drug users in jail without thinking through what <br />happens when they get out. Mr. Toscano stated that he <br />favored the Collaborative Assessment Team (CAT) approach <br />discussed in,Mr. Vandever's memorandum. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated he felt that if something was not <br />done to address the drug problem then the City was writing <br />off the affected neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty stated that she was more interested in <br />stressing positives to youth in ways such as the proposed <br />Teen Center and other recreation programs and stressing <br />community policing rather than increasing the number of <br />police officers at this time. <br /> <br /> Ms..Slaughter agreed that she would like to plan for <br />summer youth job programs and try to put together an urban <br />youth corp. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that increased police presence will <br />be needed as a result of efforts along West main Street and <br />he would favor hiring a few additional police officers to <br />be used there as well as neighborhoods where drugs are a <br />problem. <br /> <br /> Mr. Steve Deaton, Commonwealth's Attorney, discussed the <br />substantial increase in drug cases his office has handled and <br />stated that he felt the neighborhoods with drug problems are <br />"under siege." Mr. Deaton suggested that the drug problem be <br />addressed in conjunction with other surrounding <br />jurisdictions. <br /> <br /> Ms. SlaUghter recommended that outside sources of <br />funding for anti-drug efforts be explored. <br /> <br /> It was agreed that~ the matter would be discussed further <br />in conjunction with the budget. <br /> <br /> <br />