Street Is Declared Drug-Free

Last Thursday, April 7, Sheriff Donnie Pope and members of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Monticello Mayor Bryan Standifer and members of the Monticello City Council, Jasper County Board of Commissioners, County Manager Mike Benton, several city and county employees, along with concerned citizens and residents of Mason Street met on Mason Street to declare the area a Drug Free Zone and erect signs proclaiming it as such.

The focus on Mason Street comes as the result of growing concerns of violence and criminal activity reported to the 911 Center, and the requests of local residents to the Sheriff’s Office about what some would describe as intolerable living conditions, according to an announcement from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).

The violence culminated on March 25 when deputies responded to the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, no victims were on scene and no perpetrator could be identified. Further investigation the following week revealed that the shots were fired over apparent gambling activity that turned into an argument. The incident is still under investigation.

Upon speaking with someone at each residence on the street, the JCSO was able to identify specific concerns of the residents which included the street being impassable at times due to cars and crowds, intoxicated pedestrians, open drug use, vulgar language, excessive noise and music until 3 or 4 a.m., littering, gambling, and drug sales, the announcement said.

The Sheriff’s Office was able to verify much of this activity through different means including drone surveillance. There were also multiple narcotics purchases made on Mason Street during the recent drug operation “Loud and Clear.”

It is believed that nearly all of the people congregating on Mason Street do not live there and many do not even live in Jasper County.

At the gathering last Thursday, multiple community leaders addressed the audience and residents of Mason Street. The sheriff stressed that this is about taking care of the residents of Mason Street. At no time should the street be impassable to the point that family cannot come and visit or, even worse, an ambulance not be able to access a residence.

Mason Street, as well as every other street, should be a place where children can ride their bikes and play without being exposed to open criminal activity, said the sheriff.

He also stated that as long as he is responsible for law enforcement, there will not be any area inside Jasper County where people willfully and openly break the law without fear of retribution.

Mason Street will continue to be the focal point of concentrated patrol, safety checkpoints and other efforts of both the Uniform Patrol Division and the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) in order to deter criminal activity, the announcement said.