Salvia: The next marijuana?

Tribune newspapers April 8, 2008 TALLAHASSEE , Fla. — 

On Web sites touting the mind-blowing powers of Salvia divinorum, come-ons to buy the hallucinogenic herb are accompanied by warnings: "Time is running out!" and "stock up while you still can."

That's because this species of salvia is being targeted by lawmakers concerned that the inexpensive and easy-to-obtain plant could become the next marijuana. Eight states including Illinois have placed restrictions on Salvia divinorum, and 16 others are considering a ban or have previously.

"As soon as we make one drug illegal, kids start looking around for other drugs they can buy legally. This is just the next one," said Florida state Rep. Mary Brandenburg, who has introduced a bill to make possession of Salvia divinorum a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

On Jan. 1, Salvia divinorum became a Schedule I substance in Illinois . Possession or sale is a felony, with legal consequences as severe as those for heroin or LSD.

Some say legislators are overreacting to a minor problem, but no one disputes that the plant impairs judgment and the ability to drive.

Native to Mexico and still grown there, Salvia divinorum generally is smoked but can be chewed or made into a tea and drunk.

Called Sally-D, Magic Mint and Diviner's Sage, this species of salvia is a hallucinogen that gives users an out-of-body sense of traveling through time and space or merging with inanimate objects. Unlike hallucinogens such as LSD or PCP, salvia's effects last for a shorter time, generally up to an hour.

Salvia divinorum is not one of the many varieties of ornamental garden plants known as salvia.

No known deaths have been attributed to salvia's use, but it was listed as a factor in one Delaware teen's suicide two years ago.

"Parents, I would say, are pretty clueless," said Jonathan Appel, an assistant professor of psychology and criminal justice at Tiffin University in Ohio who has studied the plant's emergence. "It's much more powerful than marijuana."

Salvia's short-lasting effects and the fact that it is currently legal may make it seem more appealing to teens, lawmakers say. It's hard to say how widespread the use of salvia is. A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that just under 2 percent of people age 18 to 25 surveyed in 2006 reported using salvia in the past year.

Mike Strain, Louisiana 's Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner and a former legislator, helped his state in 2005 become the first to make Salvia divinorum illegal, along with certain other plants. He said the response has been largely positive.

"I got some hostile e-mails from people who sold these products," Strain said. "You don't make everybody happy when you outlaw drugs. You save one child and it's worth it."

An ounce of salvia leaves sells for about $30 on the Internet.Web sites such as Salviadragon.com tout the product with images like a waterfall and rainbow and include testimonials such as, "It might sound farfetched, but I experience immortality."

Among those who believe the commotion over the drug is overblown is Rick Doblin of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a non-profit group that researches psychedelic drugs and aims to develop psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medication.

Doblin said salvia isn't "a party drug," it "tastes terrible" and is "not going to be extremely popular." He doubts that teens are its main users and says older users are more likely.

"It's a minor drug in the world of psychedelics," he said.

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune

SALVIA DIVINORUM AND SALVINORIN A

(Street Names: Maria Pastora, Sage of the Seers, 
Diviner’s Sage, Salvia, Sally-D, Magic Mint)

August 2007 Drug Enforcement Administration DEA/OD/ODE

Introduction:

Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the mint family native to certain areas of the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca , Mexico . The plant, which can grow to over 3 feet in height, has large green leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces, and can grow successfully outside of this region. Salvia divinorum has been employed by the Mazatec Indians for its hallucinogen effects for ritual divination and healing. The active constituent of Salvia divinorum has been identified as salvinorin A. Currently, neither Salvia divinorum nor any of its constituents, including salvinorin A, are controlled under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Licit Uses:

Neither Salvia divinorum or its active constituent salvinorin A has an approved medical use in the U.S.

Chemistry and Pharmacology:

Salvinorin A, also called Divinorin A, is believed to be the ingredient responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of Salvia divinorum. Chemically, it is a neoclerodane diterpene found primarily in the leaves, and to a lesser extent in the stems. Although several other substances have been isolated from the plant, none have been shown to be psychoactive.

In the U.S. , plant material is typically either chewed or smoked. When chewed, the leaf mass and juice are maintained within the cheek area with absorption occurring across the lining of the oral mucosa (buccal). Effects first appear within 5 to 10 minutes. Dried leaves, as well as extract-enhanced leaves purported to be enriched with salvinorin A, are also smoked. Smoking pure salvinorin A, at a dose of 200-500 micrograms, results in effects within 30 seconds and lasts about 30 minutes.

A limited number of studies have reported the effects of using either plant material or salvinorin A. Psychic effects include perceptions of bright lights, vivid colors and shapes, as well as body movements and body or object distortions. Other effects include dysphoria, uncontrolled laughter, a sense of loss of body, overlapping realities, and hallucinations (seeing objects that are not present). Adverse physical effects may include incoordination, dizziness, and slurred speech.

Scientific studies show that salvinorin A is a potent and selective kappa opioid receptor agonist. Other drugs that act at the kappa opioid receptor also produce hallucinogenic effects and dysphoria similar to that produced by salvinorin A. Salvinorin A does not activate the serotonin 2A receptor, which mediates the effects of other schedule I hallucinogens.

Illicit Uses:

Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum products are abused for their ability to evoke hallucinogenic effects, which, in general, are similar to those of other scheduled hallucinogenic substances, including LSD, DMT, psilocybin, and ketamine.

User Population:

Information on the user population is limited. It appears to be mostly adolescents and younger adults influenced by promotions of the drug on Internet sites.

Illicit Distribution:

Salvia divinorum is grown domestically and imported from Mexico and Central and South America . The Internet is an important venue for the promotion and distribution of Salvia divinorum. It is sold as seeds, plant cuttings, whole plants, fresh and dried leaves, extract-enhanced leaves of various strengths (e.g., 5x, 10x, 20x, 30x), and liquid extracts purported to contain salvinorin A. These products are also sold at local retail shops (e.g., head shops and tobacco shops).

Control Status:

Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are not currently controlled under the CSA. However, a number of states have placed controls on Salvia divinorum and/or salvinorin A. In 2005, Louisiana made it illegal to purchase or distribute Salvia divinorum. Both Delaware and Missouri have added Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A into schedule I of the states’ drug regulations. In 2006, Tennessee and Oklahoma passed legislation on Salvia divinorum. Maine and North Dakota have also recently passed legislation controlling Salvia divinorum and/or salvinorin. Moreover, as of July 2007, legislative bills proposing regulatory controls on salvinorin A and/or Salvia divinorum are pending in Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Internationally, salvinorin A and/or Salvia divinorum have been placed under regulatory controls in Australia , Belgium , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Italy , Spain , and Sweden .

Comments and additional information are welcomed by the Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, FAX 202-353-1263 or telephone 202-307-7183.

Animal lover gives Buffalo police dogs their own body armor

By Gene Warner - News Staff Reporter Updated: 05/01/08 8:44 AM

Buffalo ’s two newest police officers were fitted with bulletproof vests Wednesday.

And they yelped with appreciation as the protective gear was wrapped around their underbellies.

Herc and Konan, the two rookies among the Buffalo Police Department’s four K-9 dogs, proudly wore their new protective vests, thanks to the generosity of an animal lover who just wanted to do her part.

Joan Lewandowski — the owner of a cockatiel and two lovebirds — spent $1,200 of her personal savings to buy the vests for Herc and Konan.

The 68-year-old Cheektowaga resident was watching television last winter when she saw a story about a young girl who started a fundraising drive for K-9 dogs’ vests in another city. Lewandowski remembered that story in February, when she learned that Buffalo had added two dogs to its drastically reduced K-9 Unit.

She knew the dangers that police officers — and their canine partners — face on drug raids and in confronting armed suspects, so she knew immediately what she wanted to do.

“I didn’t want to ask for any donations,” Lewandowski said after a brief ceremony in Police Headquarters. “I wanted to do it myself. I felt so strongly about it, that these dogs should be protected.”

Some people might chuckle at the idea of a bulletproof vest for a dog, but K-9 Unit Officer Mary Ellen Sawicki isn’t among them.

Police last week were searching for someone with a gun in the Northeast District when Sawicki responded with Herc. She noticed a vacant house where she thought the gunman might have been hiding and sent the dog in alone. No one was there.

“Now I’d feel more comfortable sending him in,” she said. “If someone in the house had a gun, they’d probably shoot the dog.”

Officer David Acosta, Konan’s handler, agreed.

“There are times we send the dogs in alone without backup,” he said. “You hope that just their presence will encourage a suspect to surrender. This gives them more protection should a suspect decide to become more violent.”

The vests, comparable to those worn by officers, are probably capable of stopping a bullet from anything up to maybe an AK-47 assault rifle, Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson said.

“The dog would suffer trauma, but it would not necessarily penetrate or cause serious injury,” he said of a less powerful round.

Both dogs were trained to answer commands in Czechoslovakian for “sit,” “stay” and “lie down,” a tactic designed to outsmart the criminals. “[The dogs] get their commands in Czechoslovakian, which I think is absolutely awesome,” Gipson said.

The police officers were pleasantly surprised at how light the vests were and how quickly the dogs seemed to adjust to them.

And Lewandowski clearly was thrilled when she saw the dogs wearing the vests she bought.

“It was such a beautiful feeling inside, to know that they’re going to be protected, that they feel good in the vests, and that they look absolutely wonderful,” she said. “This is something that I will remember the rest of my life.

“If I can try to save some more money, then I’d probably buy [vests for] the other two,” the former personal care aide said. “But I don’t know if I could do it for a while.”

Just then, Lewandowski looked over at one of the German shepherds, who was sitting contentedly, wrapped in his new vest.

“Look at him,” she said with a smile. “It’s like he’s saying, ‘I look so good, and I’m so happy.’ ”

Which could be in either English or Czechoslovakian.

gwarner@buffnews.com

Residents uninjured as gunmen hit two homes
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 05/01 /08 10:55 A M

Two Buffalo homes were hit by gunshots overnight but the residents were not injured, police reported today.

One incident occurred on Grace Street in the Riverside neighborhood, while the other shooting happened on Marigold Avenue on the city's East Side. The shootings are believed to be separate incidents.

Police said the most recent incident was at 4:40 a.m. today when someone armed with a shotgun fired three blasts through the front window of a home in the 100 block of Grace. Two men and a woman were inside but were not struck.

Officers responded to the scene and recovered at least two shell casings.

At about 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, a woman was inside her home in the first block of Marigold when a man used a .38-caliber gun to fire several shots at the home, police reported.

Officers recovered a round from the gun in the house. Police believe the gunman may be acquainted with the woman.

Armed Elmwood robberies bring 10-year prison term
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 04/30/08 7:00 A M

Thomas Dulak was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for his role in a series of lunch-hour armed robberies that terrorized Elmwood Avenue businesses last fall.

State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski sentenced Dulak, 28, of Bradley Street , on his Jan. 30 guilty plea to three second-degree armed robbery charges for two holdups at Valore Books, 1601 Elmwood, and one at Supercuts at 2141 Elmwood. The crimes occurred between Oct. 12 and 18.

Dulak pleaded guilty Jan. 30. Monday, Michalski will be sentencings Dulak’s accomplices, Edward P. Schunk, 25, and Gioacchino Aquino, 24, both of Hinman Avenue, on similar pleas in the case.

Arrest made after shots are fired at close range
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 04/30/08 7:00 AM

An Erb Street man faces attempted murder and weapons possession charges for allegedly firing two shots at another man at close range at about 1 p. m. Monday on Texas Street , Buffalo police said.

Antoine J. Garner, 21, is accused of approaching the vehicle of a Texas Street man and firing two shots into the driver’s side window. Garner fled on foot, abandoning the gun in a nearby field, police said.

Chicago plans show of force to deter its killing season

• SWAT teams, more patrols after 36 shootings killed nine last weekend
• 20 public school students shot to death in past six months
• Churches to open doors afternoons and evenings as safe havens
• Mayor blasts gun industry, urges adults, parents to help troubled kids

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Police planned to increase patrols and put SWAT officers and specialized units on the streets over the weekend, a show of force aimed at deterring violence like the three dozen shootings that left nine people dead last weekend.

"Weather permitting, we will have our helicopter up," said police spokeswoman Monique Bond, who said Thursday night was relatively quiet, with only four shootings, none fatal.

Meanwhile, religious leaders said they had persuaded some churches to open their doors in the afternoons and evenings to protect people from gunfire.

"We just picked up about four more churches in Austin [a neighborhood on the city's West Side] that are going to open their doors as a safe haven," said Ira Acree, an activist and pastor of the Greater St. John Bible Church.

The recent violence followed a six-month period during which more than 20 Chicago public school students were shot to death.

On Friday, Mayor Richard Daley took the unusual step of calling together more than two dozen officials from the police department, schools, social service agencies and religious groups for a City Hall summit on the violence. Afterward, he said it was just the start of a continuing dialogue about how to combat violent crime.

A fired-up Daley blasted the gun industry and called on parents and adults to do their part by intervening to help troubled youth and by working to keep others on the right path.

"I don't want people to wait for Mayor Daley to call a meeting. I want you to call a meeting in your home with your children and loved ones. I want you to go next door and talk to those children next door. I want the parents of the block to say 'This block will be free of violence,"' he said.

It is key for children to be occupied in after-school or other programs so they stay out of trouble, especially when they're not in a classroom, Daley said.

Before the meeting, some participants talked about possible solutions to end the violence.

The Rev. Bruce Wellems, pastor of Holy Cross Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the city's South Side, suggested that adults need to get to know the young people in their neighborhoods.

"I think they have to step into the community and accompany these kids," he said.

And Tio Hardiman, executive director of CeaseFire, an anti-violence group, said young people need help finding alternatives to the streets.

"We need to go right to the corners and find out what some of these young people want to do, identify some employers that are willing to hire maybe 30 from this neighborhood, 30 from another neighborhood and try to get them hired somewhere so then we can get them off the corners."

But Daley said joblessness does not justify violence.

"When the killing is done, you still don't have a job, in fact, it greatly decreases the chances that you ever ... will have a job," he said.

Hardiman said he expected that violence would not be as bad this weekend because of the police presence and other steps by community groups, including his group's efforts to talk to gang members and mediate disputes. Last weekend, there were 36 shootings -- at least 14 of which police believed were gang related.

But he said he's concerned about possible repercussions from a shooting at a McDonald's on Monday night that left one man dead and four others injured.

The area where the shooting took place is believed to be a stronghold of the Gangster Disciples street gang and Hardiman said he's concerned that someone may try to retaliate.

More charges for Buffalo woman accused of killing her husband

By Matt Gyrta NEWS STAFF REPORTER Updated: 04/21/08 11:46 AM

Robin Kalinowski, a Buffalo woman facing trial for the murder of her husband, today was charged with murder conspiracy counts for allegedly offering to pay an undercover state trooper $3,000 to kill the man with whom she was having an affair at the time of her husband's death.

The 42-year-old Riverside mother of two looked shocked as prosecutor Thomas M. Finnerty told Senior Erie County Judge Michael L. D'Amico of the new charges.

She has been jailed since last Nov. 30 on murder and weapons charged for the November 2005 fatal shooting of her husband while he was sleeping in their bedroom.

Finnerty told the judge that next week he will ask an Erie County grand jury to add felony conspiracy and solicitation to commute murder charges against Kalinowski for the alleged jailhouse plot.

Jury selection is expected to begin June 16 for her second-degree murder trial for fatally shooting her husband, Kevin M. Kalinowski, 41, as he slept in their Rosedale Street home early on Nov. 10, 2005 .

She was remanded to jail without bail after the late-morning arraignment.

Finnerty told the judge that based on information authorities learned several months ago, an undercover state trooper posing as a gangland "hitman" met with Kalinowski at the Erie County Holding Center April 2 and April 14, secretly recording their talks and her alleged $3,000 payoff offer.

John K. Jordan, Kalinowski's attorney, declined comment following the court session.

Kalinowski already faces a mandatory prison term of up to 25 years to life on the murder charges. She would be facing up to 50 years to life if also convicted of the murder conspiracy charges.

Federal jury convicts gang member of drug trafficking

By Dan HerbeckUpdated: 04/22/08 11:41 AM

A man identified by police as a member of a violent Buffalo drug gang was convicted today of felony charges of drug trafficking and gun possession.

A jury at federal court convicted Martell Jordan , 21, of East Utica Street , of three felony crack cocaine trafficking charges and one felony gun possession charge.

The convictions followed a trial held under tight security before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

FBI agents, Buffalo Police and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives arrested Jordan during a June 2006 roundup of members of a violent drug gang that operated in the city's Central Park neighborhood. About 20 others have been convicted of drug counts in the case.

At one point during the two-week trial, an admitted associate of the drug gang, Christopher Huff, was jailed by Arcara because he reneged on an agreement to testify as a government witness. Huff told police he was afraid to testify because death threats had been made against him and his family.

Jordan 's attorney, John P. Pieri, said Jordan denied knowing anything about the alleged threats.

Jordan could face 25 years or more in federal prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Tripi and George Burgasser prosecuted the case.

Passengers in vehicle shot up at intersection avoid serious injury
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 04/22/08 10:53 AM

A 24-year-old Buffalo man was struck by flying glass or shrapnel Monday night when a barrage of shots were fired into the vehicle in which he was riding, police said today.

The shooting happened at about 10 p.m. on Maryland Street on the city's West Side .

The victim suffered a small cut on his back from the debris; two other people in the vehicle suffered no injuries.

Central District police said the three were on Maryland at the West Avenue intersection when someone used a handgun to fire at their vehicle, striking it several times.

Police recovered about a half-dozen spent casings in the street.

Police subdue man before he can get gun out of his pocket
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 04/21/08 2:01 PM

Two police officers lived through a harrowing experience Sunday night when a man, walking along East Amherst Street with a loaded handgun in his pocket, began fighting with them and reaching for the gun, police reported today.

Police identified the alleged gunman as William A. Kearney, 20, who is accused of fighting with the officers near his home in the 400 block of East Amherst at about 6:45 p.m.

Officers Jose Colon and John Poisson, who are assigned to the department's Mobile Response Unit, were on routine patrol when they saw Kearney walking across the street with the black handle of a gun sticking out of his right front pants pocket, according to arrest reports.

As Colon and Poisson approached, Kearney reportedly pushed the gun completely into his pocket. But when the officers came closer, he tried to take the gun out of his pocket, police said.

Colon grabbed the man's right hand and his pants pocket, but the suspect fought with Colon and Poisson and kept trying to take out his gun, they said. The officers wrestled him to the ground, but he continued fighting while reaching into his pocket with his right hand for his gun, they said.

Police said Colon and Poisson were able to handcuff Kearney and they arrested him at the scene. They also recovered the loaded .22-caliber revolver in his pocket, police reported.

Police Officers Colon and Poisson subdue man before he can get gun out of his pocket

Arrest made in theft, sale of three cars
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 04/20/08 6:58 AM

A Katherine Street man faces a variety of criminal charges for allegedly stealing at least three cars, then selling them to a South Buffalo scrap yard, Buffalo police said.

Shawn M. Hussar, 20, stole the cars over a five-day period beginning April 11, police said.

Police said Hussar took a 1996 Buick Century to South Buffalo Auto Parts last Friday and said he didn’t have the title but signed a Department of Motor Vehicles form stating he owned the car in order to sell it for scrap. The vehicle had been reported stolen just before 7 a.m. that day.

Last Monday, Husser returned to the scrap yard with a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass that he also sold, police said. That vehicle was reported stolen at about 8:15 a.m. the same day.

He sold another 1996 Buick Century to the business on Wednesday, police said. The owner alerted police at about 2:30 p.m. that day that the car was stolen, police said.

In each case, Hussar was charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property, offering a false instrument for filing as well as a misdemeanor charge for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

12 officers and detectives promoted to new ranks
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 03/18/08 6:42 AM

The Buffalo Police Department recently held a promotional ceremony to promote 12 officers and detectives to higher ranks.

Five of the 12 were promoted to lieutenant, while the other seven were promoted in the detective ranks.

Promoted to contingent permanent lieutenant were Officers Linda D. Stanchak, Frank A. Guevara and Michelle R. Kubala, along with Detective James C. O’Donnell and Detective Sgt. Sallie A. Blersch.

Detective Sherry L. Kiszewski was promoted to contingent permanent detective sergeant, while Officers Carl A. Lundin and Louis S. Ruberto were named permanent detectives.

Promoted to contingent permanent detective were Officers Thomas A. McCarthy, Sean K. Buth, James P. Dunham and David J. Rambino.

Subject Excellent work by Buffalo Police and Buffalo Police Underwater Recovery Team

To Honorable Mayor Brown:

It has always been opinion that extraordinary work deserves extraordinary praise. The professionalism that was displayed by the Buffalo Police in the help with the search of one of our Correction Officers Anthony Dashner cannot go unspoken. All of those that were involved are definitely an asset to the City of Buffalo .

Police Chief, Brian Strobele was key in the search. He also kept us all informed throughout the search and again later with the help of the Underwater Recovery Team. His actions cannot go unnoticed.

I cannot say enough about the efforts of Lt. Al Liberatore and the Underwater Recovery Team. Often times putting themselves in harms way to continue the efforts of their underwater search. Even though the outcome was tragic, these fine civil servants in the less than best conditions kept going to get the job done. What a job they did! My hat goes out to each and every one of them.

Being in law enforcement, I know exactly that most of the work that goes on is not in the spotlight. I wish to shine the spotlight to all of those that were involved  Saturday February 16, 2008 in finding Correction Officer, Anthony Dashner. I hope that you also share with me and shine the spotlight on these fine individuals.

Sincerely yours,

Vincent Blasio

New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association Gowanda Correctional Facility

Mansion trying to solve case of missing mink
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 03/07/08 6:57 AM

Officials are looking for a woman who accidentally took the wrong mink coat, valued at $10,000, from the coat room at The Mansion, a luxury hotel on Delaware Avenue, during an event for Rep. Brian Higgins in late February.

Two women attending the event apparently wore nearly identical full-length, black mink coats. One of the women left with the one that wasn’t hers from the coat check room sometime at about 8 p.m. Feb. 21.

“It’s a case of mistaken coat identity,” said Gino Principe, co-owner of the hotel at 414 Delaware. “They’re both beautiful coats. Someone has a coat they shouldn’t, and the coat they should have is sitting in my office.”

The coat that was left behind has the embroidered initials “JDC” inside it. Contact The Mansion at 886-3300.

Arrest made in robbery that followed car chase

Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 02/07/08 11:26 AM

A 17-year-old Buffalo man was charged this morning with punching a motorist, pointing a handgun in his face, and then stealing his car keys, wallet and $87, police said.

Ferry-Fillmore District Police said Lamar Brown and another man, who is still being sought, were in their car when they chased after another motorist from Deshler Street and Broadway to Ashley and Mohr streets at about 2:15 a.m.

The two men cut off the motorist, forcing the driver to exit his car, and try to run away, but the two men attacked the victim, held him at gunpoint, and stole items from inside his car, police said.

The two men returned to their car and sped away, but officers tracked one of them to a house on Swinburne Street , according to police reports.

Officers said they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the Swinburne apartment and forcibly entered the home where they found Brown hiding in a bedroom.

Officer Patrick J. Crowley and Lt. Lance R. Russo arrested Brown at the scene and recovered the victim's keys, which were hidden inside his getaway vehicle, along with 29 bags of marijuana, which were found inside the apartment.

They charged Brown, of Stockbridge Avenue , with robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, assault, reckless endangerment, criminal use of a firearm, unlawful possession of marijuana, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

Herc and Konan make their debut, doubling the size of city's K-9 unit

German shepherds to assist in drug searches, traffic stops

By Vanessa Thomas NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 02/05/08 8:11 AM

The Buffalo Police Department has added two more dogs to the police force — a much-needed move to revive a K-9 unit that was drastically reduced almost a decade ago.

The two new furry additions mean that there are now a total of four police dogs in the department.

Monday, police and city officials unleashed their newest plan to have three canines assigned to the city’s Mobile Response Unit, also known as the MRU, a team of tactical officers who will use the dogs to search for narcotics, assist with traffic stops and track down fleeing suspects. The department’s fourth dog is already assigned to the traffic unit.

With tails wagging, as well as occasional barking, the three male German shepherds were shown off in a news conference along with their handlers.

There was 20-month-old Herc with Officer Mary Ellen Sawicki and 2-year-old Konan with Officer David Acosta, along with Officer Russell Medina, whose 8-year-old dog, Roni, has been assigned to the MRU since January 2007.

“We’re trying to build our police assets to be more effective in fighting crime,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “Crime is down in the City of Buffalo, and we’re working to drive crime down even further.”

The return of more canines to the police force is being applauded by city leaders who saw the Police Department’s K-9 unit drastically reduced almost a decade ago.

In March 1999, then-Police Commissioner Rocco J. Diina was criticized for reducing the K-9 unit from 10 to two dogs, although there was a third dog assigned to the Narcotics Division.

At the time, Diina said the use of the 10 dogs was inefficient because they were rarely used for foot patrols, and he blamed the police contract for making the unit impossible to manage. Union leaders said Diina was making the union a scapegoat for a management decision.

Police officials said Monday they are hoping to add even more dogs to the force.

“We’re looking forward to getting a fourth dog [in the MRU],” said Daniel J. Derenda, deputy police commissioner. “I’m very confident in their ability, and this is one of the mayor’s many initiatives to bring crime down.”

The two new dogs, who are originally from the Czech Republic, were purchased from Amherst Boarding Kennel and underwent about eight weeks of training to detect narcotics and track suspects, Derenda said, adding that the cost to train and purchase the dogs was less than $20,000.

Moments before the news conference, the three canines stole the show by playfully sniffing at the suspicious lens of a television camera, which was pointed just inches away from their muzzles. The dogs also displayed their intense discipline by immediately stopping in their tracks at their handlers’ command.

“He can use his bite work if he has to,” Sawicki said of Herc. “He can find people who run into fields, track robbers and criminals, and leads us to where they are.”

The MRU was launched Jan. 14 last year as a tactical unit focused on helping rid Buffalo’s streets of gangs, narcotics and illegal guns.

Police officials praised the year-old MRU for recently recording its highest monthly number of arrests, seizures of guns and confiscations of cash.

Last month, the unit made 354 arrests, compared with the previous high of 331 in May; seized 30 guns, compared with 27 in August; and confiscated $54,799, with the previous high of $29,723 being recorded in June.

Over the last year, the MRU has made 2,914 arrests, issued 7,250 summonses, impounded 747 vehicles, confiscated $241,237 in cash and removed 195 illegal weapons from the streets, according to Derenda.

vthomas@buffnews.com

Traffic stop yields cache of heroin
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/30/08 1:56 PM

Buffalo Police pulled over a car Tuesday morning because a passenger was hanging out of the moving vehicle, but the traffic stop turned up 107 packages of heroin hidden underneath the driver's seat, police reported.

The driver, Luis Rodriguez, 19, of Bailey Avenue, along with his two passengers, Matthew L. Smith, 22, of 14th Street, and Indaleccio Rodriguez, 18, of 14th Street, were charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

The two passengers also were charged with obstructing the view of the driver.

Central District officers said Rodriguez Escalera was hanging out of the front passenger seat as the car headed along the 300 block of West Avenue at about 9 a.m.

Police said Officer Thomas Feeney recovered heroin in the car, along with $2,209 from the pants pocket of Luis Rodriguez.

Feeney and Officer Thomas Mayes arrested the three men.

Possession of crack, weapons draws 15 years
Updated: NUFFALO NEWS 01/30/08 6:37 AM

A man convicted of crack cocaine and firearm possession has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Dechaun Applewhite, of Buffalo , was convicted after federal agents raided his home and found 50 grams of crack cocaine and two guns. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

The sentencing ends an investigation involving the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Buffalo police and the Erie County district attorney.

Two gunmen hold up postman, steal wallet
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/28/08 6:45 AM

A postal carrier told Buffalo police Saturday that he was robbed at gunpoint by two teens at Langfield Drive and Suffolk Street.

The carrier said one of the youths stuck a black handgun in his stomach and said, “Give me your wallet.”

“You can have it,” the victim said, handing over a wallet containing cash, a credit card and personal papers.

“Where’s your phone?” the gunman asked. “I don’t have it,” he answered.

Then the robbers, believed to be about 16 to 18 years old, ran off.

Boy waiting at bus stop is attacked by five men
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/28/08 6:45 AM

Five men attacked a Buffalo boy at a bus stop Saturday afternoon and punched him so badly that his left eye was swollen shut, police reported.

The boy, who also suffered cuts on his face, was at the bus stop at Kensington and Bailey avenues when he was approached by five men wearing dark clothing at about 1:30 p.m., according to Northeast District police.

He told police the men asked him, “Where you from?” and he replied, “Nowhere.” That’s when the men began punching him.

Woman reports her SUV looted in Allentown
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/28/08 6:45 AM

A Cheektowaga woman discovered that about $1,100 worth of items were stolen from her SUV parked at Delaware Avenue and Allen Street early Sunday, police said.

She told police a thief smashed the driver’s side window of her 2007 Saturn Vue between midnight and 1:15 a.m. and took her GPS system, valued at about $300, a book of CDs worth about $750, and an I-Pod and cell phone charger valued at about $50.

Armed man robs Niagara Street store
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/28/08 9:56 AM

The Wilson Farms on Niagara Street was held up Sunday night by a robber who pointed his gun at the cashier and ordered customers to get on the floor, police said.

A man, wearing a black mask and black gloves, walked into the store at 2078 Niagara St. at about 9:30 p.m. , according to Northwest District police.

The man, pointing his gun at the cashier, also held a blue plastic bag, ordered the cashier to put the money in his bag and told her that she was "too slow," police reported.

He then ordered everyone in the store to get on the floor and ran out of the store, heading north.

Pimp gets 57 years to life for killing prostitutes
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/28 /08 11:34 AM

Harold Bonner, still professing his innocence, today was sentenced to 57 years to life in prison for the murders of two Buffalo prostitutes, one in 1995 and the other in 2006.

Senior Erie County Judge Michael L. D'Amico imposed the maximum-allowable prison term on Bonner's Oct. 23 conviction for the murders of Kimberly Warren, 38, and Mechelle Hicks, 35. D'Amico called the murders "some of the most heinous crimes that I have seen" in decades on the bench.

Deputy District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III called Bonner, who has several street aliases, "a degenerate sociopath" who ran a local prostitution ring by feeding the women crack cocaine and beating any who crossed him.

Bonner did not testify at his trial, but claimed through his attorney that he is a victim of racism and a police vendetta.

Warren was fatally beaten sometime in July 1995 and Hicks was strangled on Jan. 4, 2006 . The remains of the two victims were found 11 years apart in the same lot on Rapin Street .

For complete details, see Tuesday's Buffalo News.

Man beaten, robbed outside East Side store
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/28/08 10:44 AM

A 33-year-old Buffalo man was robbed and beaten by a gang of men and women Sunday morning as he walked out of an East Side store.

The victim went to St. Joseph Hospital where he was treated for bleeding, swelling and bruising to his head, face, and body.

Ferry-Fillmore District police said he was attacked by two men and three women at about 3 a.m. at Walden and Rother avenues.

The assailants also stole his wallet, containing his identification, along with his mountain bike, valued at about $300.

Man beaten with bottle, robbed on West Side
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/27/08 2:26 PM

A Buffalo man was beaten with a bottle, kicked and punched during a robbery this morning on the city's West Side , police said.

The victim suffered an injury to his nose, which was possibly broken during the attack. Police said he was taken by a Rural/Metro ambulance to the Erie County Medical Center , where he was treated.

Northwest District police said the man was at Bird Avenue and Niagara Street at about 9:20 a.m. when four men jumped of a white SUV and assaulted him.

One man hit him in the face with the bottle, while the others kicked and punched him.

Police said the assailants stole his wallet, containing personal papers and $300, and fled.

Neighbor charged in early morning rape in laundry room
Updated: BUFFALO NEWS 01/26/08 12:46 PM

A Buffalo man was arrested this morning after police say he raped a neighbor in the basement of an East Morris Avenue apartment house.

The victim told police that she was in the basement laundry room, getting clothes out of the dryer sometime after 2 a.m. today when she was attacked.

She said the man grabbed her from behind, put his hand over her mouth and pulled her to the floor. The attacker then removed her pants and raped her.

Northeast District Officer John W. Sanak arrested Andrew D. Holloway, 43, on a charge of third-degree rape.

Ski-mask wearing robbers hold up Orchard Park man
Updated: buffalo news 01/26/08