Local Cops Asked To "Hug A Thug" On The Shore

That is what Law Enforcement calls it, "Hug A Thug" and they aren't too happy with the whole concept.

In reality its called the Highpoint Initiative. Eastern Shore States Attorneys have been pushing this program and we'd like your opinion on it. However, I have to be fair to both sides of the program first.

Here's how it works. Local Law Enforcement does a sting and catches criminals dealing drugs on video. When they arrest the "thug", some are offered the chance to get into this program in which they will not be arrested. Instead, (those selected) go into this program that is monitored by one LE representative. 

The intent, it gives someone the chance to STOP dealing drugs permanently. 

However, I have spoken to some LE Officers who are NOT at all happy with this program. It was first picked up by Joel Todd in Worcester County and some say is was a major failure and cost him his re-election as States Attorney. Its been reported to me that many of the "thugs" in the program were not properly monitored and went right back to criminal activity. Mind you, this is what I have been told.

That being said, I took the time to call Joel Todd to discuss this matter and I was told, "Mr. Todd is not allowed to speak to you unless it is related to a case". So, once again this will be a ONE SIDED article.

Police Officers are working diligently to reduce drug activity here on the Shore. So much so, they make the arrest with hard evidence and then the "thug" simply walks with the chance they might get right back into their past. Don't get me wrong though, the program does give select people a second chance at going straight but one has to deeply wonder, how many white people vs. black people are considered for this program. This is information I could not get today because I'm not allowed to speak to the person who spearheaded the program. Perhaps the NAACP can have better luck garnishing these answers.

On the other side of the coin, in Salisbury, 12 "thugs" were considered for the program but only 3 were accepted and all 3 are still allegedly in the program. 

Here's what's important here Ladies & Gentlemen, IN MY OPINION. With such liberal programs in place and being tested, how large will this program get in the near future. Now, IF they expand the program and these people aren't actually arrested, CRIME APPEARS to go DOWN on the books, which IS the goal of such crime riddled areas and we are certainly one of them.

I can tell you that I was recently the recipient of a crime in Pittsville. Actually, three of them. The last time they actually caught the "thugs" and arrested them. They were juveniles. When I received a follow up call they asked me to get an estimate for the damage and quite frankly, these guys didn't have time to cause much damage and or steal much. Because of my schedule, I haven't had the time to meet with companies at the building to get estimates.  

GUESS WHAT, because I didn't get an estimate in the time frame they stated, ALL CHARGES ARE BEING DROPPED. Even though they were caught breaking in and entering my building, even though they confessed, THERE IS NO CRIME. 

WHY, because crime is WAY TOO HIGH in Salisbury and Wicomico County, so, just let them go.

So here's the big question. Do you think this program AND the idea if you don't get an estimate within 30 days for a crime, is Maryland headed down the right track AND are we really being informed of just how bad crime really is here on the Shore?