State Police request city join Task Force

Brandon Grzechowiak of the Illinois State Police proposed at a council meeting Monday night that the city of Benton join the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.

The measure was endorsed by Chief of Police Kyle Melvin.

Grzechowiak said the Task Force currently has acquired memberships from West City, West Frankfort and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, as well as a joint agreement between Zeigler and Christopher.

"Frankly, we spend a majority of our time working the east side of the county," Grzechowiak said. "We're proposing the city of Benton join membership with our Task Force as a supporting member. If it passes, the city would have a voting voice on our Task Force Board."

An annual membership fee of $7,000 was proposed, based on the city's population.

Over the last two years, the Task Force has opened more than 140 cases in Franklin County. Of those cases, 105 arrests were made. The group has seized more than 2,900 grams of meth, 66,000 grams of cannabis, 780 grams of cocaine and 1,000 units of prescription medications, it was reported.

Former S.I. Task Force administrator Jonathon Edwards, now the overseer of 22 similar groups around the state, also endorsed the city's inclusion in the group.

"It's a killer group," he said. "The benefit for a community like Benton engaging in a proactive narcotics effort is that it affects so many other areas, like property crimes. The reality of your situation ... is the prescription drug problem. A lot of times those folks committing property crimes are involved in violent crime and are often related to narcotics trafficking."

He added, "With absolute certainty, no one can do it alone. This type of effort is a win for the city. "

Mayor Fred Kondritz said Franklin County, like most counties, has a horrendous drug problem.

"If we don't spend the money, it's going to cost us money by not being a supporter of yours. The drug problem is out of hand in epidemic proportions," he said.

Melvin said Benton is no stranger to the Task Force.

Around 20 years ago, former chief Mike Andrews was assigned to the Task Force.

"This is an opportunity to put money toward an agent, along with other communities in this area. I believe in the Drug Task Force and I believe they are underappreciated. They do great work and in support of this," Melvin said.

Council took no action on the proposal. However, they promised to revisit the issue in the coming weeks and at least initially supported the proposal.

In other action, the city attorney, mayor and Commissioner Ronnie Baumgarte were authorized to enter into an agreement with Zenner USA for a new water metering system, at an estimated cost of $860,000, pending contract negotiations; granted a liquor license to the Benton Civic Center to sell alcoholic beverages between the hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday; and heard the American Legion is planning a 100th anniversary celebration for Nov. 18.</group><group id="BF600194-C619-4