Baileyville council supports ‘safe zone’ law against drug dealing

BAILEYVILLE – The Town Council strongly endorsed a new law that allows for greater penalties for drug trafficking in safe zones.

Police Chief Phil Harridan told the council at its regular meeting Monday that for years the safe school zones have helped police officers because any drug dealing within 1,000 feet of a school could subject the dealer to an enhanced penalty.

“The Legislature just recently passed a law for municipalities to establish safe zones that not only include the schools, but also playgrounds, parks, athletic fields and recreation facilities,” he said.

In order for a municipality to designate an area as a safe zone, minors must frequent it and it must be conspicuously marked as a safe zone, the law says.

The sign approved by the Legislature reads: “Drug Free Safe Zone. Increased Penalties for Drug Crimes Committed within this Zone.”

The council Monday night approved plans to make the Junction Playground, Glidden Field, Main Street Park, Tony Tammaro Facility including the skate park, Wapsaconhagan Park, Spendic Field, and the Fourth Avenue tennis courts as safe zones.

Town Manager Scott Harriman said the new law represented another enforcement tool for police. He said it would encourage drug dealers to stay away from those areas.

The town manager said the town would have to adopt an ordinance before the police could act. He said he would have a draft ordinance ready for them at their next meeting.

Councilor John Morrison said he would like to see the whole town designated as a safe zone. “Get rid of any drugs anywhere in town – that would be a great thing to be able to do,” he said.