“As a lifelong resident of Butler County, I have witnessed drug dealers slowly infiltrate our community and poison our residents. The individuals who peddle them profit, and our residents die or end up in prison. In recent days, we have seen perhaps the most violent stretch in history of Butler County with no less than four homicides in the past three months. All of these homicides have a connection to the drug world in Butler County. Frankly, I am sick of it! The current methods used to deter these individuals has not been effective. It is time to try something different. That is what I plan to do.

I am calling this new plan, “Not in My Backyard.” Butler County is my backyard, and it's time we take it back. When a dealer of heroin or cocaine is arrested, law enforcement will be requesting a high bond that will ensure the dealer is unable to post bond while the charges are pending. This will not only guarantee the offender will appear for all court proceedings, but will also protect our community from this individual who has polluted our community with their drugs. I am also instructing my assistant district attorneys not to negotiate with dealers and their attorneys as long as the case is provable at trial and ask for sentences that will send heroin and cocaine dealers to state prison, even for a first offense. Subsequent offenses will call for longer state prison sentences.

It is my hope that by imposing these new policies it will send a message to drug dealers, wherever they may be from, to not come to Butler County and sell drugs. The warning to them is simple. DO NOT SELL DRUGS IN MY BACKYARD!

Richard A. Goldinger

District Attorney of Butler County