|
Rotary gets lesson on crime, drugs |
|
Friday, 05 February 2010 |
By Davida Hill Beckum
Daily Time Leader
Members of the West Point Rotary Club received a lesson in crime trends during their Thursday weekly meeting.
Chief Deputy Eddie Scott, of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, spoke to Rotary regarding the pros and cons of technology for law enforcement and the current trends regarding drug use and sales in West Point.
According to Scott, the new E-911 system has made the job of law enforcement officials easier by offering a more accurate dispatching of emergency personnel. Scott believes cell phone technology and the computers and phones in police cars have also helped to apprehend criminals. However, with all of the pros introduced during his 10-year career with the CCSD, technological advances are also responsible for a newer kind of crime; identity theft.
“Over the last year we have seen a 75 percent influx in identity theft crimes,” said Scott. “Thieves are taking everything they can from pin numbers to credit card information. They will steal it all.”
Scott says the most difficult identity crimes to prosecute are the ones that are spread over a broad area.
“The criminal may be in Canada,” said Scott. “He will get credit card information from someone in West Point and order items over the internet, He may have the items shipped to a drop location in Memphis or Atlanta.”
Scott advised those in attendance to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft by checking their credit reports at least twice a year and to report any suspicious activity. Scott also warned rotarians of a different mail scam that is becoming more common amongst the elderly residents of Clay County.
“These criminals are sending out letters saying you have won $75,000,” Scott said. “but you have to pay $2500 to get it.”
Scott then shifted gears.
“We have a drug problem in West Point,” Scott said. “We have a drug problem in Mississippi. We have a drug problem in the United States.”
Scott believes the more prevalent drug problems in Clay County are methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription drug abuse, especially among juvenile offenders.
“‘You may still have those Oxycontins in the medicine cabinet from a surgery a couple of years ago.” Scott said. “If you are not using them, you need to dump them. Kids are getting them and using or selling them.”
Regardless of the identity theft and drug induced crimes, Scott says Clay County remains above the state average for solving crimes, with a success rate that fluctuates between 72 and 74 percent.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 February 2010 )
|
