Interim Chief Willie McGhee and Sgt. Inv. Chris Cooks updated the commissioners on crime in the City of Madison at the monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 9. They discussed the fatal shooting in May and drug and gang activity. Cooks informed the commissioners that the fatal shooting of Tortarian Alexander on May 2 is still under investigation. Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida State’s Attorney’s Office is assisting the Madison Police Department. The officers have also been dealing with a surge in drug and gang activity. “We were under the impression that it was Molly that was causing some of our drug problems here but we discussed it the other day with the Sheriff’s Department and what they are saying is it’s bath salt,” said Interim Chief McGhee.
According to Cooks, most of the drug activity, particularly Molly and Flakka is gang related. Molly is also known as ecstasy. Flakka is a bath salt that has been known to cause hallucination and make the users think someone is after them. “We got every gang right about now,” said Cooks. “Officers are having to take extra precautions when we answer calls now and it’s getting worse.” The gangs in Madison include the two well-known gangs, Bloods and Crips. These gangs are very active in big cities such as Los Angeles. Cooks advises citizens to be done with their errands by dark and, if traveling at nighttime, to park in a well-lit area. “We don’t want them to get caught up at a bad area at night,” said Cooks.