Dallas Police Politely Target Some Drug Dealers

DALLAS (AP) — Some Dallas police officers have been using a more polite tactic to catch small-time drug dealers.

The Dallas Morning News (http://dallasne.ws/17fNfn0 ) on Monday reported members of a "knock-and-talk" task force are using tips from neighbors, approaching possible drug-dealing homes and asking to be allowed inside.

Dallas police more than two years ago reduced the number of undercover detectives investigating low-level drug crimes. Police shifted their focus to larger-scale traffickers.

Deputy Chief Christian Smith says the 46-member knock-and-talk task force started in May. Since then its officers have made more than 500 arrests, seized about 130 firearms and confiscated than 400 pounds of drugs. The task force made nearly 400 possible drug-house contacts.

Critics say knock-and-talk efforts are risky and may yield only the easiest cases.

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