THORSBY POLICE JOIN NEW DRUG TASK FORCE

THORSBY - The Town of Thorsby voted to join the Chilton County Violent
Crime and Drug Task Force last night through a contribution of $5000.

With only four full-time officers, Thorsby Police Chief Ed Prady said he
could not afford to dedicate one officer and one car to the task force as
other municipalities have, but noted he thinks the town needs to be
involved with the task force as much as possible.

"I've said from the get go that we couldn't put a car and an officer into
it, but I think we need to be a part of it."

Thorsby's part will come in a dedication of $5000 to be used by the task
force as drug buy money, to purchase equipment or to be used in whatever
manner the task force sees fit.

The task force has already made a significant impact close to home as they
arrested 16 people last week just outside the Thorsby town limits and the
jurisdiction of Thorsby police. The task force responded to a trailer park
just behind International Paper after Thorsby police notified them of drug
activity.

The $5000 will be given to the task force in October, the beginning of
Thorsby's fiscal year.

Prady said there was no set rules or guidelines as to how much money the
town could set aside, saying he felt like $5000 was about the most the town
could afford right now.

Prady and the council agreed that as time progresses there may be room in
the budget to possibly dedicate an officer and a car to the force, even if
it's a few years down the road.

In other business, Town Superintendent Terry Jackson reported that two
problem water lines have been repaired thanks in part to an employee of the
City of Jemison.

Daniel Avery, a former Thorsby town employee, came to help Jackson and the
city crews several days ago when a pipe burst near County Road 216.

"We appreciated his help," Jackson said. "We had it back up and going after
about four hours."