Skelton consults with local law enforcement officials

From left, Congressman Ike Skelton, D-MO, speaks with Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Doug Lilleman and Trooper Doug Fessenden, Saline County Sheriff Wally George, Slater Police Chief Keith A. Wright and Saline County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Cindi Mullins during his visit to Saline County Monday, Oct. 12. Not pictured are Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Don Stouffer, Slater Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith, Marshall Police Assistant Chief David Roscher, Sweet Springs Police Chief Richard Downing, Chief Sheriff's Deputy Cindi Mullins and criminal justice educator Jim Simmerman.
(Geoff Rands/Democrat-News)

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Skelton didn't do much talking during the meeting, but instead spent most of his time listening about the difficulties faced in policing in the Saline County area.

A time was spent speaking about efforts to fight methamphetamine production, with Saline County Sheriff Wally George saying the meth lab "takedown equipment" purchased with federal funds has been a great help to the department.

"We probably go through $60,000, $70,000 a year" in working against methamphetamine producers, said George.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Darrin Lilleman expressed frustration about his experience regarding efforts to stop trafficking of meth and meth ingredients through traffic stops.

"We miss more than we ever get on traffic stops," he said. "Interdiction won't do the job."

When the topic moved to the difficulty of procuring equipment, Jim Simmerman mentioned the ability departments have to purchase excess property through the Department of Defense, saying this is "a great resource that a lot of departments aren't aware of."

"We have a tough time with ammo, Ike," said George, and went on to explain that rising ammunition costs and decreased commercial availability present a difficulty to his department in both training and law enforcement.

Simmerman said the problem is that police are "competing with the civilian world" for ammunition, which is in high demand at this time.

"Alright, I learned something," said Skelton, "what else?"

The conversation then turned to undocumented foreign nationals.

Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Don Stouffer mentioned one individual who was helping police as an interpreter for a murder investigation when it was learned that he was in America illegally.

ICE Immigration and Naturalization Services spent "more money than Wally spends on his department in a whole year" working to deport the man, said Stouffer. "And he's a guy that's been here 15 years, working hard (with a) wife, family. Good people."

"What really bothers me is that we had this individual who was helping law enforcement, serving free as an interpreter, ... was a good citizen, had he been a citizen, and they went after him, but we have people that commit crimes, and they won't come get them. There's an inconsistency there that I can't begin to explain," Stouffer continued.

Communication with undocumented immigrants was highlighted as a primary difficulty in dealing with them. When Skelton asked for those who spoke Spanish to show their hands, none were raised.

At the meeting's end, Skelton asked for the names and addresses of all who attended.

Besides George, Stouffer, Lilleman and Simmerman, also in attendance were Slater Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith, Marshall Police Assistant Chief David Roscher, Sweet Springs Police Chief Richard Downing, Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Doug Fessenden, Slater Police Chief Keith A. Wright and Chief Sheriff's Deputy Cindi Mullins.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net