Seized Drug Funds Sought for Projects

Ventura County sheriff’s officials are hoping that seized drug money will be used to fund after-school activities for kids, a Saticoy resource center, high-tech crime lab equipment and to help renovate the department’s major-crimes unit.

Ventura County’s Board of Supervisors will vote today on whether $347,700 should be transferred to the Sheriff’s Department’s general fund for those projects.

Authorities are permitted by law to seize cash or property they suspect has been generated by narcotics sales. If a judge later determines the seized assets did indeed come from the sale of drugs, they become law enforcement property.

But in Ventura County, that money is kept in a county bank account and requires board member approval before the Sheriff’s Department can spend it. The account currently totals more than $1 million.

Authorities say now they are in need of the money to pay for department programs and new equipment.

The biggest chunk of money, $214,700, would go toward renovating the office space used by the major-crimes unit in the Ventura County Government Center, said Capt. Keith Parks, department spokesman.

“The area just needs some updating,” Parks said. “It needs some remodeling and rebuilding. We’ll modernize the area, maybe new furniture, make some repairs.”

Another large slice, $98,000, would be spent updating equipment for the department’s crime lab.

“Technology changes so quickly,” Parks said. “There’s a lot of equipment out there that’s newer, better and faster.”

Another $25,000 would fund a new Police Athletic League program for kids in Oak View, Miramonte, Casitas Springs and Meiners Oaks.

Authorities say that no government-sponsored recreation programs currently exist for young people living in those areas.

“The intent here is to give children some options other than falling prey to bad influences,” Ojai Sgt. Mike Johnson said. “Any time you offer them options, that’s only a plus. If we give them something to do and it keeps just one kid from smoking a joint, that’s a plus.”

Basketball and baseball games, tutoring and after-school dances are a few of the activities the Police Athletic League could sponsor, Parks said.

The $10,000 in remaining funds would support a Saticoy resource center, a shop run by volunteers where residents could fill out minor-crime reports, have their fingerprints taken or get other information about the Sheriff’s Department.