Eastside Defender

KSTP-5 TV reports on a bust made a couple of weeks ago by our 2nd Precinct Community Response Team (CRT):

After four months of surveillance, police raided a home Wednesday night near the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus, seizing 200 marijuana plants, five guns, and more than $12,000 in cash, authorities told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Surprisingly, narcotics was not the most serious crime charged against the suspect. He already had several felony convictions, including assault. So his possession of firearms could lead to a multi-year prison sentence.

For those not familiar with all the parts of the police department, the CRT:

…uses a two pronged approach in responding to the concerns of citizens in the precinct.

The first approach is directed patrol which uses uniformed CRT officers to respond in the high crime areas of the precinct or areas that are experiencing specific problems. This gives a greater police presence in these areas, which helps prevent crime and increases the chances of catching criminals. This approach gives the precinct commander more flexibility in responding to crime trends in the precinct ranging from speeding cars, burglaries in a neighborhood, and drug dealing on a street corner, without affecting services to the community.

The second approach uses the expertise of the CRT Team’s "plain clothes"/undercover officers to respond to precinct drug problems. The approach can be very effective because officers work closely with the community receiving complaints about drug houses and drug dealing. The CRT Team also investigates street level prostitution, disorderly houses and illegal liquor and cigarette sales.

The Community Crime Prevention unit has a Drug House Info Sheet (pdf) that outlines how the cops work against a problem:

1. Making a complaint—Information from neighbors may lead to a narcotics investigation being opened and a subsequent raid. This complaint can originate through the 911 system, a call to CRT, or to your crime prevention specialist. Call 911 if the dealing is occurring outside an address; call CRT if the activity is occurring inside and a pattern of the behavior has been established (time of day, weekends vs. weekdays, descriptions of vehicles and people involved). Call your CPS for further advice and information (612-673-5782 for the 2nd Precinct).
2. Making a buy—Once CRT is made aware of a problem address, they will attempt to make a buy at the address. Making a buy can be the most difficult step in the process. Despite repeated attempts, having an informant or undercover officer make a buy may take quite awhile or may not be possible at all. If a successful buy is completed, the drug is then taken to a lab and analyzed to determine if it is a narcotic.
3. Getting a search warrant—After a buy is completed and the product is proven to be a narcotic, police will get an affidavit for a search warrant. The search warrant is then signed by a judge. Once CRT observes that the address is actively dealing, they will attempt to execute the warrant. Keep in mind that most information regarding narcotics arrests and search warrants is confidential.

This particular incident was called to my attention as a member of the Northeast Lions Club. The Lions donated surveillance equipment to the Precinct, and this case was an example of how that technology helps the cops make a case. It started with neighbors keeping their eyes open, and ended by taking guns out of the hands of convicted felons.