The update included a list of individuals who have been apprehended in the past six months. He said of 30 cases worked, 37 individuals have been arrested and taken off the streets. Bob Carder, director of the District III Drug Task Force, also helped Wampler with his presentation.
Included in the update was a discussion of the apprehension of convicted drug manufacturer, Randy Welch. Welch was arrested was arrested on drug charges from Greer and Harmon counties for the manufacture of methamphetamines and agreed to a plea bargain to receive 21 years in prison, of which at least 15 will be served.
"Randy Welch was the target of many agencies for a very long time," said Wampler. "The drug task force makes the streets safer by getting those types of individuals off the streets for a very long time."
"We've apprehended a pretty significant amount of the drug dealers in our area," he said.
He said the Nik Green Bill, which passed the legislature this year has helped tremendously. The bill was named for a trooper killed when he was investigating a meth case and restricts the over-the-counter sale of drugs containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the making of meth.
He also alluded to the spate of shootings which have been linked to the November shooting death of Altus resident James Petty.
"The shootings in Altus," he said, "all of these are related either directly or indirectly to the local drug trade."
Those the task force have apprehended had "no regard for innocent citizens," he said.
In other council activity, Altus resident Danielle Rodgers of 818 N. Blain addressed the council about her claim against the city in the amount of $2,500. Rodgers claims that her 1991 Chrysler New Yorker, for which she paid $1,800, was damaged extensively while she was driving down a utility service alley south of 802 S. Park Lane, by driving over a valve box that was three inches above the ground level.
Rodgers claims all the oil then drained from the motor in her vehicle and caused the motor to freeze. She then had to take out a loan to buy another car.
"I'm a single mother with two kids," said Rodgers, "I had to get another vehicle right away."
City Administrator Mike Nettles asked Rodgers if the car had an oil gauge in order for her to see her oil pressure level. Rodgers responded that it had been broken and the needle always was below the low side of the gauge.
"For the city to be liable," said City Attorney Catherine Coke, "they must have had at least one complaint about the problem." Human Resources Manager Candy Richardson said no such complaints had been received.
The council members unanimously voted to deny Rodgers' claim.
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