THOMASVILLE — Local law enforcement officials said they rely on the public’s help when it comes to identifying areas where drugs are a problem.

Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division’s role in local neighborhoods before and after drug arrests was addressed recently. 

Thomas County NAACP President Lucinda Brown, who attended a Wednesday drug commission meeting, asked if the drug squad was cleaning up neighborhoods where drug activity is suspected.  

Brown, believing the current approach is a “revolving door,” suggested looking at different ways for the drug unit to work with neighborhood residents to combat drugs, “so that this does not continue to revolve, revolve and revolve.” 

“People can help you,” she added. 

Said Thomas County Sheriff Carlton Powell: “All this information comes from people.” 

“Ninety-nine percent of our cases are generated through sources of information,” said Keith Newman, assistant drug squad commander.  

Thomasville City Council member David Hufstetler, who was also the first drug squad commander, said the joint narcotics/vice division needs reliable sources for “direct information” to take on drug cases.  

Capt. Maurice Holmes, Thomasville Police Department (TPD) Criminal Investigations Division commander, asked if tips from Thomasville Crime Stoppers helped the drug squad. 

Newman said the tips do help and said anytime someone calls with information they can be “completely anonymous.”

Powell, also a former drug squad commanding officer, said drug traffic often “gets handed down from one generation to the next.” 

“That’s why we’ve got the drug squad, because we don’t want it going on,” the sheriff added. 

Said TPD Maj. Shane Harris: “That’s what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to work together.” 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.