BY ANNE MICHAUD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Three Cincinnati City Council members have separately called on the city administration to account for how drug forfeiture money is being spent, following an investigative series by The Cincinnati Enquirer.
The series showed that the Cincinnati Police Division had an average balance of $1 million in its drug forfeiture funds from 1993 through 1996. Council members are seeking a more up-to-date accounting from police.
Also, the Enquirer found that Cincinnati police should be spending up to 100 times more on community drug education, according to Ohio law. A percentage of the cash and property seized from drug dealers is supposed to be donated to anti-drug programs.
The police department spent $1,000 a year from 1993 through 1996, according to records provided to the Enquirer.
Councilman Todd Portune said drug treatment and drug court have proven effective and may deserve more money.
"It's important that we utilize these dollars that have come into our possession to enhance these programs, consistent with Ohio law," said Mr. Portune, who wrote one of the three motions for further investigation by the city administration.
In other motions this week:
Councilman Charles Winburn called for a "comprehensive update" on the administration and management of the funds, total dollars collected, spending and the current account balance.
Vice Mayor Minette Cooper asked the administration to explore whether some of the surplus could be spent to equip police cruisers with in-car cameras. She said the cameras cost $3,895 each installed. "Using these dollars to equip all 201 of the police division's fleet of marked cars with in-car cameras would be a rapid and dramatic improvement for the safety of our officers on the street," Ms. Cooper wrote in her motion.
