Gadsden Mayor Ends City's Partnership with Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit

GADSDEN, Alabama (WBRC) – Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford announces the city will end its partnership with the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit.

Approximately $300,000 in city funds and personnel costs are redistributed annually from Etowah County back to the Gadsden Police Department.

“The crime problem in Etowah County is the sheriff's concern,” Ford said. “I am responsible for the city of Gadsden. As long as I am mayor, we will use every means at our disposal to keep the streets of Gadsden clean.”

The Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit is comprised of 12 agents from the Etowah County Sheriff's Office, Gadsden Police Department and the FBI.

The mayor says the unit currently has four full-time police officers and receives $120,000 annually, one-third of the unit's total funding.

The City of Gadsden's staff and resources will now be used to combat drug crimes and law enforcement within city limits.

This announcement followed a meeting where county judges discussed with mayors and law enforcement officials the rising costs of housing criminals in the Etowah County Jail. According to Mayor Ford, these rising costs are forcing them to choose between leaving criminals on the streets or letting them go bankrupt.

Mayor Ford said he informed Etowah County District Attorney Jody Willoughby earlier this week of his intention to end the city's cooperation with the unit and that the city will continue to work closely with the district attorney's office on its drug cases.

In response to Mayor Ford’s announcement, Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton issued the following statement:

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