HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby attended the Oct. 17 Committee of the Whole meeting to share information about drug seizures over the last quarter, along with details regarding a large training conducted at CCHS.

Earlier in October, the Hopkinsville Police Department conducted what Chief Newby refers to as the largest active shooter drill they have ever done. HPD collaborated with the Hopkinsville Fire Department, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Christian County Rescue, and the local school board to conduct the mock training.

“We will continue to do everything that we can to ensure that our schools are safe,” said Newby to the committee. He explained that this drill, a mock shooter entered an empty Christian County High School to give emergency responders the opportunity to walk through each step of procedure. Newby added that they will continue facilitating these training to allow them to be prepared in a worst-case scenario.

Newby explained that HPD is also working hard to educate parents about monitoring potentially dangerous social media use by students. He believes taking the extra step at home can keep kids out of trouble and prevent threats from escalating.  “We’re seeing juveniles waving guns on their social media accounts, posting threats towards other students,” Newby told the committee. “A lot of these parents are getting caught off guard when we bring it to their attention.”

Getting drugs off the streets

In his quarterly report, Newby detailed the amount of narcotics and weapons officers were able to seize in the past few months. He additionally noted that fentanyl is what is causing the greatest number of overdoses in the city.

  • 35 guns
  • 3.4 pounds of methamphetamines
  • 6.8 ounces of fentanyl and 143 fentanyl pills
  • 95 pounds of marijuana

The bulk of the marijuana reported to have been seized came from a singular arrest in July. A man was charged with drug trafficking after 93 pounds of marijuana were found in his car during a routine traffic stop.

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