The drug epidemic continues to be an issue in communities all over the United States, including Manitowoc.
Police Captain Peter McGinty and Police Chief Nick Reimer were on WOMT’s Be My Guest program Thursday, where they explained that the Department has taken an aggressive approach to policing drugs.
Chief Reimer estimated that the local police department successfully executes roughly fifty drug-related warrants annually.
“And that’s based off a lot of citizen complaints,” he explained. “We establish…some probable cause, and then we apply for a search warrant… And if we get it, we’ll go in there, and we’ll clean it up for our community.”
While the number of drug arrests remains higher than some may like to see it, Captain McGinty says those arrests have also led to a decrease in the number of drug-related deaths in Manitowoc.
“Our averages for confirmed overdose deaths are usually in the 15 to 20 individual range per year…This year, we’re around 8.”
While Captain McGinty attributed that decrease partly to the Department’s aggressive approach to policing drug cases, he also recognized another big part of the solution.
“There’s a very good drug counseling program in Manitowoc. It’s very well-established, though. I think it addresses a lot of those issues.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, you are encouraged to contact either the Lighthouse Recovery Community Center at 920-374-4433 or CORE Treatment Services at 920-663-1035.
