Mounting an Effort Against Drug Scene
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Mounted police Wednesday began a high-visibility campaign to corral drug dealers in a Santa Ana neighborhood where children play “hide-and-seek” with bags of marijuana.
Police Chief Clyde Cronkhite said the horseback officers would help police “retake” the neighborhood along the 1100 block of Brook Street from drug dealers and buyers who brazenly conduct business during daylight hours.
“The kids play a game called ‘hide the marijuana,”’ Cronkhite said during a news conference. “This is no way for our young people to grow up.
“People in this neighborhood have said the children are frightened of the police, but they seem to like the horses.”
About two dozen smiling children crowded around Wednesday and began waving as one horse, Lumpy, trotted past.
Cronkhite said the four horses involved in the anti-drug program are owned and maintained by four officers who have volunteered for the assignment. Each officer and horse received special training.
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