Dec. 4, 2008
Morgantown/Huntington University Debate Continues
DEA reports 'High Demand' for Club Drugs at WVU; Federal Task Force Targets Reducing Drugs in Huntington
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – The early morning murder of Kameron O’Neal -- the city’s eighth in 2008 -- has again triggered the which is safer Marshall vs West Virginia University debate.
A couple of blog postings (i.e. identities unverified) support the concern of the mom who stated she’s considering, along with others, sending her children to WVU.
A female poster stated that “crime is getting so bad. Last night my roommate’s vehicle was broken into and we live just one block from campus. You don’t feel safe even walking to class.” A male stated he was glad to be living in Morgantown. Another complained that Huntington never used to be this violent.
However, the MU campus is likely one of the safest locations in Huntington. In fact, after last year’s murder of Leah Hickman, students mostly felt comfortable ON CAMPUS, but some were nervous OFF CAMPUS.
Previously, HNN looked at 2006 crime statistics, now the 2007 statistics have been posted. Don’t hold your breath for any on campus glaring changes, despite the rise in crimes in the City of Huntington and its Metropolitan Service Area.
The 2007 statistics are for the 2006 school year; the 2006 statistics are for the 2005 school year. Marshall has 23 law enforcement employees; WVU has 58.
Marshall’s statistics on the FBI site show the university with an enrollment of almost 14,000 with two violent crimes (both aggravated assault); West Virginia University with an enrollment of 27,000 listed four violent crimes (one rape, two robbery, one aggravated assault). West Virginia State University at Institute (near Charleston) with an enrollment of 3,502 listed three violent crimes (one rape, two aggravated assault).
In 2006, Marshall reported seven violent crimes (of which six were aggravated assaults and one robbery) while WVU reported three violent crimes (all robberies).
Of reported ON CAMPUS crimes for 2007, WVU had 205 property crimes to 137 at Marshall. WVU leads MU in burglary (16-8), larceny (182-127), and motor vehicle theft (7-2).
The 2006 on campus reports were: Marshall had 138 property crimes broken down as: 120 larceny/thefts, 17 burglaries and one car theft. WVU reported 217 property crime broken down as: 205 larceny/thefts, 8 burglaries, and three car thefts.
Use of these statistics to compile rankings is discouraged by the FBI. The site states: Caution should be exercised in making any intercampus comparisons or ranking schools because university/college crime statistics are affected by a variety of factors. These include demographic characteristics of the surrounding community, ratio of male to female students, number of on-campus residents, accessibility of the campus to outside visitors, size of enrollment, etc. (The 2007 University Crime in the US link is: http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2007/data/table_09_wv.html)
As for the cities themselves, the FBI estimates a national average of 466.9 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. Morgantown scores 386.8 per 1,000 and Huntington rated 650.9 per 1,000.
These statistics do not break down arrests for drug offenses beyond state totals. West Virginia had 224 (under 18) and 3,928 (arrests for all ages). The table provides separate statistics for alcohol related offenses , such as DUI.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DATA
However, law enforcement officials have linked the use of drugs to an increase in crimes. Although HNN could not find a substance abuse comparison within the state, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration web site analyzed that “Drug distributors in WV are uniquely placed to take advantage of sources of supply from both eastern cities like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., as well as large mid-western cities like Columbus, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.” (Link: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/westvirginia.html).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Morgantown , WV has the state’s largest amount of so-called “club drugs,” which are encountered at nightclubs and all-night “rave” parties. The three primary club drugs are Ecstasy, Ketamine, and GHB. These drugs have been termed “predatory” as they often are used to facilitate sexual assault. (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/clubdrugs.html)
“There is an increased demand for MDMA throughout West Virginia, but abuse remains concentrated near Morgantown, the location of West Virginia University. Demand for MDMA in college towns is sufficient to ensure that thousands of pills reach West Virginia every month. Because of West Virginia’s remote terrain, the area is purported to host numerous private “rave” parties but attendance at large-scale, publicized razes has been disappointing to promoters.”
While these party drugs remain a danger at WVU, Marshall falls within the recently created Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The White House Office of National Drug Policy explains that the mission of the Appalachia HIDTA is “to reduce measurably, and particularly as it related to marijuana, the production and trafficking of illegal drugs in its immediate area, to reduce drug related violate crime and to reduce the impact that HIDTA drug production have on other area of the U.S. The Appalachia HIDTA responds to the threat posed by the illicit traffic of other drugs as required. Central to this mission is the expansion of cooperative, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement efforts. (For details click: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/index.html or http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/wv.html)
DETROIT HUNTINGTON CONNECTION SUSPECTED IN SIX HOMICIDES
HIDTAs across the country target drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and are dedicated to stopping them. The Appalachia HIDTA by design focuses its efforts on identifying and disrupting/dismantling “full service” DTOs that, although they operate in the Appalachia HIDTA region, also impact the national and international illicit drug markets. A “full service” DTO is one that engages in trafficking, transportation, distribution, and money laundering activities. DTOs operating in the Appalachia HIDTA region cultivate marijuana, manufacture methamphetamine and traffic/distribute those two drugs, diverted pharmaceuticals, cocaine, crack cocaine, and/or firearms.
In 2006, the Huntington (WV) Violent Crime/Drug Task Force, assisted by the WV DEA (Charleston) HIDTA Task Force, aggressively targeted an extremely violent crack cocaine trafficking organization operating in and around Huntington, WV, with organizational links to Detroit, MI. The Huntington area has seen an influx of crack cocaine DTOs from Midwest metropolitan areas, especially Detroit. These DTOs have targeted Huntington because of profit margin, location, and less competition for customers.
The influx of crack cocaine and DTOs is responsible for an increase in the nature and number of violent crimes, particularly drive-by shootings, felonious assaults, and homicides. The DTO target of the AHIDTA Task Forces is the most violent of the DTOs linked to Detroit and is suspected in at least six homicides, including a quadruple homicide. Diligent investigation has led to the arrest and conviction of two DTO members and the indictment of three other DTO members related to one of the murders. Additionally, AHIDTA Task Force members continue to develop and exploit information on Detroit-Huntington drug trafficking networks, significantly disrupting drug trafficking between those two cities.
Ultimately, all drug trafficking is local. This statement rings truer in the rural areas and small communities of the Appalachia HIDTA. The destruction of local DTOs has an immediate impact on a community’s quality of life, emboldens citizenry, and, perhaps most importantly, denies or cuts off profits and cash flow to larger DTOs.”
For additional data on the Appalachian HIDTA, click:
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/rpts06/06_appalachia.pdf
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Morgantown/Huntington University Debate Continues
DEA reports 'High Demand' for Club Drugs at WVU; Federal Task Force Targets Reducing Drugs in Huntington
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – The early morning murder of Kameron O’Neal -- the city’s eighth in 2008 -- has again triggered the which is safer Marshall vs West Virginia University debate.
A couple of blog postings (i.e. identities unverified) support the concern of the mom who stated she’s considering, along with others, sending her children to WVU.
A female poster stated that “crime is getting so bad. Last night my roommate’s vehicle was broken into and we live just one block from campus. You don’t feel safe even walking to class.” A male stated he was glad to be living in Morgantown. Another complained that Huntington never used to be this violent.
However, the MU campus is likely one of the safest locations in Huntington. In fact, after last year’s murder of Leah Hickman, students mostly felt comfortable ON CAMPUS, but some were nervous OFF CAMPUS.
Previously, HNN looked at 2006 crime statistics, now the 2007 statistics have been posted. Don’t hold your breath for any on campus glaring changes, despite the rise in crimes in the City of Huntington and its Metropolitan Service Area.
The 2007 statistics are for the 2006 school year; the 2006 statistics are for the 2005 school year. Marshall has 23 law enforcement employees; WVU has 58.
Marshall’s statistics on the FBI site show the university with an enrollment of almost 14,000 with two violent crimes (both aggravated assault); West Virginia University with an enrollment of 27,000 listed four violent crimes (one rape, two robbery, one aggravated assault). West Virginia State University at Institute (near Charleston) with an enrollment of 3,502 listed three violent crimes (one rape, two aggravated assault).
In 2006, Marshall reported seven violent crimes (of which six were aggravated assaults and one robbery) while WVU reported three violent crimes (all robberies).
Of reported ON CAMPUS crimes for 2007, WVU had 205 property crimes to 137 at Marshall. WVU leads MU in burglary (16-8), larceny (182-127), and motor vehicle theft (7-2).
The 2006 on campus reports were: Marshall had 138 property crimes broken down as: 120 larceny/thefts, 17 burglaries and one car theft. WVU reported 217 property crime broken down as: 205 larceny/thefts, 8 burglaries, and three car thefts.
Use of these statistics to compile rankings is discouraged by the FBI. The site states: Caution should be exercised in making any intercampus comparisons or ranking schools because university/college crime statistics are affected by a variety of factors. These include demographic characteristics of the surrounding community, ratio of male to female students, number of on-campus residents, accessibility of the campus to outside visitors, size of enrollment, etc. (The 2007 University Crime in the US link is: http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2007/data/table_09_wv.html)
As for the cities themselves, the FBI estimates a national average of 466.9 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. Morgantown scores 386.8 per 1,000 and Huntington rated 650.9 per 1,000.
These statistics do not break down arrests for drug offenses beyond state totals. West Virginia had 224 (under 18) and 3,928 (arrests for all ages). The table provides separate statistics for alcohol related offenses , such as DUI.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DATA
However, law enforcement officials have linked the use of drugs to an increase in crimes. Although HNN could not find a substance abuse comparison within the state, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration web site analyzed that “Drug distributors in WV are uniquely placed to take advantage of sources of supply from both eastern cities like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., as well as large mid-western cities like Columbus, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.” (Link: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/westvirginia.html).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Morgantown , WV has the state’s largest amount of so-called “club drugs,” which are encountered at nightclubs and all-night “rave” parties. The three primary club drugs are Ecstasy, Ketamine, and GHB. These drugs have been termed “predatory” as they often are used to facilitate sexual assault. (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/clubdrugs.html)
“There is an increased demand for MDMA throughout West Virginia, but abuse remains concentrated near Morgantown, the location of West Virginia University. Demand for MDMA in college towns is sufficient to ensure that thousands of pills reach West Virginia every month. Because of West Virginia’s remote terrain, the area is purported to host numerous private “rave” parties but attendance at large-scale, publicized razes has been disappointing to promoters.”
While these party drugs remain a danger at WVU, Marshall falls within the recently created Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The White House Office of National Drug Policy explains that the mission of the Appalachia HIDTA is “to reduce measurably, and particularly as it related to marijuana, the production and trafficking of illegal drugs in its immediate area, to reduce drug related violate crime and to reduce the impact that HIDTA drug production have on other area of the U.S. The Appalachia HIDTA responds to the threat posed by the illicit traffic of other drugs as required. Central to this mission is the expansion of cooperative, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement efforts. (For details click: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/index.html or http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/wv.html)
DETROIT HUNTINGTON CONNECTION SUSPECTED IN SIX HOMICIDES
HIDTAs across the country target drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and are dedicated to stopping them. The Appalachia HIDTA by design focuses its efforts on identifying and disrupting/dismantling “full service” DTOs that, although they operate in the Appalachia HIDTA region, also impact the national and international illicit drug markets. A “full service” DTO is one that engages in trafficking, transportation, distribution, and money laundering activities. DTOs operating in the Appalachia HIDTA region cultivate marijuana, manufacture methamphetamine and traffic/distribute those two drugs, diverted pharmaceuticals, cocaine, crack cocaine, and/or firearms.
In 2006, the Huntington (WV) Violent Crime/Drug Task Force, assisted by the WV DEA (Charleston) HIDTA Task Force, aggressively targeted an extremely violent crack cocaine trafficking organization operating in and around Huntington, WV, with organizational links to Detroit, MI. The Huntington area has seen an influx of crack cocaine DTOs from Midwest metropolitan areas, especially Detroit. These DTOs have targeted Huntington because of profit margin, location, and less competition for customers.
The influx of crack cocaine and DTOs is responsible for an increase in the nature and number of violent crimes, particularly drive-by shootings, felonious assaults, and homicides. The DTO target of the AHIDTA Task Forces is the most violent of the DTOs linked to Detroit and is suspected in at least six homicides, including a quadruple homicide. Diligent investigation has led to the arrest and conviction of two DTO members and the indictment of three other DTO members related to one of the murders. Additionally, AHIDTA Task Force members continue to develop and exploit information on Detroit-Huntington drug trafficking networks, significantly disrupting drug trafficking between those two cities.
Ultimately, all drug trafficking is local. This statement rings truer in the rural areas and small communities of the Appalachia HIDTA. The destruction of local DTOs has an immediate impact on a community’s quality of life, emboldens citizenry, and, perhaps most importantly, denies or cuts off profits and cash flow to larger DTOs.”
For additional data on the Appalachian HIDTA, click:
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/rpts06/06_appalachia.pdf
Share This Story:
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