Law enforcement officials worry about cuts to WING task force funding

Budget cuts in Washington may again affect funding of the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group (WING).

In 2005, the interagency task force received $229,546 in grant funds. A year ago, that amount had been slashed to $70,000. With current cutbacks on the federal level, some fear this year's allocation may fall short even of that mark.

“It’s petty tough—we have to buy equipment and pay the salary for an officer,” said Joseph Aikens, Sidney's acting police chief.

A significant portion of the funds used by local departments to investigate narcotic possession cases depend upon federal grants.

“Every time they cut it back, the less resources we have to throw at narcotic investigations,” Aikens explained.

WING was formed in 1989 after law enforcement officers at the state, county and city levels determined they could pursue drug arrests more efficiently—and cost effectively—if they developed a task force. At the time, residents in different communities were calling on authorities to crack down on a perceived increase in drug-related crime.

“If you have anyone using drugs in your community, you have a problem because it leads to other criminal activity—theft, burglary,” Aikens said. “They’re looking for different mechanisms to support their habits.”

Simply turning responsibility over to Nebraska State Patrol investigators led to missed opportunities and ineffective follow-up. Since 1989, with the cooperative efforts of 11 panhandle counties, WING has been highly successful in deterring narcotics.

“We can show them the cases that we have completed with success and the number of drug related crimes that were solved,” said Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson.

As of December 31, 2012 WING has been involved in 7,227 arrests.

Although cuts in funding would hurt, city and county officials insist they would not eliminate programs targeting drug activity.

“We will always have an narcotics investigator,” Aikens said. “If the money dries up completely we will keep an officer committed to working narcotics in our community. It’s a petty important aspect to our job.”

Sidney falls into the middle of panhandle drug crime statistics, with marijuana and meth figuring more heavily into the data.

“I am dedicated to the citizens to enforce the laws and protect the community from not only drug abuse, but also drug distribution and the crimes that accompany it,” Sheriff Jenson pointed out.

WING is asking communities to help with letters of support, which may prevent further cuts to federal funding. Contact the police or sheriff's department to find out more.