I was surprised, as I suspect many were, by I Heart’s and KHTS’ report this morning on what happened at last night’s City Council meeting.
To recap: the meeting was held in memory of a young man named Trae Daniel Allen, who died of a heroin overdose. Then Allen’s mom spoke to the City Council saying that Mexican black tar heroin is available in Santa Clarita and she says two other people have died of overdoses recently. What’s more, she says she’s tried to work with the Sheriff’ station on this problem, to no avail.
Her comments lead Bob Kellar to scold the new Sheriff’s Station Captain Paul Becker saying, “This is unacceptable,” according to I Heart. Captain Becker is to report back on the matter in two weeks.
What is black tar heroin? Is it available in the SCV? Is this really a problem in Santa Clarita? Have there been three deaths in recent months due to heroin overdose?
The LA Times did a three-part story about the drug and its spread in the US back in February.
The first thing you need to know is that the drug is cheaper and more potent than pure Colombian white powder heroin. And it’s not produced or sold by big drug cartels, rather it is distributed and sold by small “entrepreneurial” bands of drug dealers in markets outside of big cities:
Farm boys from a tiny county that once depended on sugar cane have perfected an ingenious business model for selling a semi-processed form of Mexican heroin known as black tar.
Using convenient delivery by car and aggressive marketing, they have moved into cities and small towns across the United States, often creating demand for heroin where there was little or none. In many of those places, authorities report increases in overdoses and deaths.
Users need not venture into dangerous neighborhoods for their fix. Instead, they phone in their orders and drivers take the drug to them. Crew bosses sometimes call users after a delivery to check on the quality of service. They encourage users to bring in new customers, rewarding them with free heroin if they do.
One convicted dealer told the Times that black tar dealers look for markets that are “clean” so that they “can make it grow.” And since the whole model is decentralized and competitive, the Times says black tar heroin is cheap and prices often fall when new competition comes into play.
The Times also says that the dealers are picky about their clientele: they “generally do not sell to African Americans or Latinos. Instead they have focused on middle- and working-class whites, believing them to be a safer and more profitable clientele.” Indeed, in some parts of the country, the drug is being sold as a cheaper alternative to Percocet and Oxycontin and other prescription pain killers.
So if black tar heroin is a problem in the SCV, why are we only hearing about it now?
Well, there have been stories mentioning “heroin” in recent months. When Deputies and social workers busted into a Canyon Country drug house this month, they found heroin. And last year, Deputies arrested two young men in Stevenson Ranch “on suspicion of possession of heroin for sale and armed robbery.” A January article in the magazine “The Nation” mentioned Santa Clarita as an “exurb on the edge of the Antelope Valley with a growing heroin and meth problem” but I tend not to give too much credence to national magazines reporting on local issues.
As I Heart asked, what is truly the scope of the problem in Santa Clarita? If there have really been three overdose deaths here in town, then it’s safe to say this is a bigger problem than many of us perceived it to be.
I hope Captain Becker will shed more light on this in a couple of weeks.
My heart sank as I listened to Krissy McAfee tell her story of the lack of Sheriff response.
Even twenty years ago, the Sheriff’s were not responsive when our daughter missing.
She had a car accident in a remote area and because she was 21 years old they would not help locate her or even offer Search & Rescue. Eventually we found her hurt but alive.
As my heart goes out to Krissy even though our tragedy is different the lack of sheriff involvement is still evident.
Sure there is black tar heroin in the SCV and in many other folks. Call Cary Quashen at Action and he’ll tell you about it. The only reason most folks don’t know is the local paper is too busy covering City press releases and the Sheriffs Department after a scolding from Frank Ferry has failed to produce complete crime reports for public consumption.
A perfect example is the text message I got this morning – from the City. Two convicts on the loose. No names, no descriptions, no links to pictures, nothin. Why even bother to send this crap out unless you can provide some actionable information.
Point of clarification: The City’s two emergency text messages about the Pitchess escapees today did contain links to http://www.scvsheriff.com, which included both photos of the escapees and a number to call if you happen to see them. The emergency text messages from the City are limited to 107 characters, hence the need for a link.
Gail, would it be possible to emergency text message the escaped inmates? Perhaps something stern like “Hey you! Get back in prison! >:o !”
*snort*
Gail:
The Sheriff’s number was there (255-1121 and 911) but no link to photo’s in my second text message.
The first message as I recall had the “report suspicious characters”.
I’d much rather get an e-mail to my blackberry rather than a text – I get charged extra for texts. Links would work better to. Is there a way to accommodate that?
“I’d much rather get an e-mail to my blackberry rather than a text – I get charged extra for texts. Links would work better to. Is there a way to accommodate that?”
Are you serious? The City’s text service message is opt-in. They’re not texting you because they want to, they’re texting you because you asked to be added to their list.
I understand that but some optionality would be great! Also, don’t know if you can go from a link on a text to a website (obviously not if you don’t have a data plan) so a link on a text may be pretty worthless to most texters.
There is always limiting factors with technology, from the length of the message on their end to the limited or lack of data plans on the user’s end.
Most people i know have a data plan, or aren’t the kind of people who would want SMS updates. For those people i suppose once they are notified if they are interested they can run to a computer, the alert is whats important. You can’t put all the info in 140 characters.
You didn’t get all of the text, because blackberry phones stink. They generally cut off text after a certain amount of characters.The emergency texts came in fine on my iPhone.
If you want an email sign up here: http://www.scvsheriff.com/rec_enotify.asp
I got two emails, one notifying me that they escaped and another with an update that they had their names and photos. Both of them directed me to view the sheriff website for more info.
I got a total of 4 SMS about this incident. 2 tweets from the city with links and 2 emergency SMS one with general alert and a link and one with phone number to call if you have anything to report.
The first text did contain a link to the Sheriff’s site.
If you have no data plan, then I would suggest going to a computer where you can then look up the website.
I think its great that Santa Clarita provides these text updates. They have come in handy when there is a major traffic issue or fire issue. They also had a good emergency website when the fires were going on.
I would assume that the City gets a lot of differing info when emergencies happen and I’m glad that they try to convey the info.
It doesnt look like many Cities update their websites when something major happens. I remember when the fires occurred in the La Cresenta area last year or two and the only local city that I saw that had fire info was Santa Clarita.
There is also info on the escapees on the City’s main website today. I think they’re doing a good job with emergency info.
And by the way Gail, can you provide the City’s official perspective on why we can’t get the Sheriffs to release complete crime reports like they did for a period after Capt. LaBerge came in?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_tar_heroin
I don’t understand why someone overdosing is anyone else’s problem. Seems like individual choice and consequence.
It’s someone else’s problem because the black tar is supposedly being sold to and used by teenagers. Parents cannot control WHO their kids are exposed to at school, on the way home, or on weekends.
Teenagers are stupid. It’s their parents problem, and as taxpayers generally parents expect their local police to help.
And? How is it the sheriff’s fault?
Personal Responsibility is the key. If the mom wants to blame herself go ahead but it needs to stop there..
I don’t lose any sleep over a few stupid teenagers that kill themselves taking Black Tar Heroin. The Santa Clarita sheriff’s are not perfect but they do a damn fine job! They shouldn’t be wasting their time trying to protect some idiots from themselves.
Damageinc, the longer I listen to you the dumber you become.
If a parent tells the school administration and the Sheriff the exact name of a kid who is selling heroin at a local school, you think that’s not their responsibility to follow up?
How bout this: if a school administrator catches a kid at school selling heroin, should they call the Sheriff? Should the Sheriff show up?
If your answer is no to either of these scenarios, you were obviously too busy holding open the door when they were handing out brains.
It’s an illegal drug and a felony to distribute.
You are an angry person with no compassion and your hasty judgment is clouded by a fervent determination to be a total dick.
Congratulations, you succeed daily.
One of the issues surrounding law enforcement’s reaction (Or perceived lack thereof) is that one must witness a crime being committed in order to file a report that the police can act upon. Other than that, no matter what you might know, think you know, or have heard, it is considered hearsay or conjecture and won’t make it to court for conviction. So even if one KNOWS that their son/daughter/whomever has purchased drugs from a specific person, if they haven’t SEEN the crime, an argument can be made by a defense attorney. Thus, for law enforcement to use valuable resources to investigate a crime based on heresay is not considered a good use of those valuable resources.
As lousy as that might sound, remember that due process is in place to protect everyone. I mean if that were not the case, we could point fingers at anyone we don’t like and have them investigated…right?
Angry?
You need to grow a pair and stop making excuses for society’s trash and blame the police for not stopping people from themselves.
This is the USA if someone wants to kill themselves, who are you to tell them they can’t
Own your life and expect other to do the same.
PS this kid was in him mid-twenties.
Dude,
I wish you had the same attitude about health care that you do about kids doing herion.
I expect insurance companies to do what they say… and not make excuses when it is time for them to pay for my family members.
Sanity check!!
A small disparate group is doing something within the borders of the SCV. FIND THEM!
Are you nuts? We have shootings happening to people in Newhall and you want the Sheriff to drop everything to find a few willing users of heroin. Do you even realize what you are asking of the sheriff?
Personal responsibility trumps an overreaction to a small problem. Most kids want nothing to do with anything harder than weed and booze. Regular all-american activities!
Teach your children well!
While my heart goes out to the mother who lost her son to a drug overdose, I’m wondering how this one incident is drawing so much attention in light of the fact that the SCV has had an ongoing Meth problem for years and years. Then again, Crystal Meth is manufactured here in our valley so it is supporting LOCAL business.
Is it possible that, what with the word “Mexican” being inserted into the equation, that a certain city official who is on the side of Minuteman righteousness is using this as a great excuse to demonstrate his stance in a grandstanding manner regarding a certain nameless subject that rhymes with…er…”schmillegal schmimmigration”? I’m just askin’…
Analysis fail.
There are drug deaths in SCV all the time that you never hear about. A man overdosed in our development not too long ago — he was middle aged. The Sheriffs had been out to that unit on a number of occasions before and they were aware that the people there were druggies. But it didn’t prevent the fellow’s death.
My heart goes out to the mother in question. Sometimes it seems kids are determined to find some way of doing themselves in. When they’re little you do your best to “child proof” your house to keep them safe. The schools also do their best to teach children the dangers of drug abuse. But at some point kids face temptation and must choose. One wrong choice may be all it takes to do them in.
Perhaps her son’s death will lead to some proactive steps by the Sheriff’s Department and maybe save a few lives down the line if it prevents someone from buying the drug. But if your kid already has a drug problem, calling the Sheriff isn’t going to be of much use in saving their lives.
The cops must do something!!!
BUT, they must do it with fewer resources because of all the cut taxes protests and petitions going around.
How do we expect the government to accomplish all the things we want government to do with no budget?
Smaller government but a larger police force?
It’s called prioritizing: one of the government’s most basic duties is to protect its citizens from crimes/enforce the laws. A lot of the other stuff (grants for the arts and science, school programs, subsidized health care) is totally “optional.” So you fund police first, the other stuff second. It’s not terribly tricky.
I suppose infrastructure gets a priority when a bridge collapses or a water main breaks.
Is chasing down a few junkies worth shifting priorities?
We simply cannot afford these kneejerk reactions over small problems. How is the war against gangs doing?
It is terribly tricky. Ask the top cop his opinion. Do you suppose chasing a junkie was on his to do list?
Personal responsibility people! Society can’t stop you from killing yourself and shouldn’t try. Just do it solo at home!
Brian, I don’t get it. WE have more than one “top cop.” We have a whole bunch who patrol and cite and apprehend the bad guys.
If a store catches a shoplifter, they call the police and they come and arrest the guy. When a kid tells his parents that he’s hooked on heroin and then tells them who’s dealing it at school, why is it a kneejerk reaction for the police to come arrest the offender?
Are you suggesting we ignore the dealers and focus on gangs? Are they separate problems on your planet? Not complicated.
Hey Steven the kid hooked on heroin was in his mid twenties. He was well into adulthood… RESPONSIBILITY.
Back to you later. This is sad.
BREAKING NEWS: SCV Deputy Killed In Off-Duty Motorcycle Crash
An off-duty sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley station died Wednesday evening after his motorcycle collided with a car on McBean Parkway near Granary Square.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore told KCAL9 that the deputy, whose name was not released, had worked with the Sheriff’s Department for four years and that he is survived by his wife, who is seven months pregnant.