Utah agencies united in gambling crackdown
Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard said police and prosecutors gathered together Thursday to make sure they are all on the same page. "We needed to figure out what prosecutors will support and what elements to bring to (them) for prosecution," he said.
Thursday, about a dozen law enforcers and prosecutors including Kennard, Salt Lake District Attorney David Yocom and Salt Lake City police Chief Rick Dinse stood side-by-side during a news conference to show their unified support on the issue.
Because of the recent media attention on the poker craze with games such as Texas Hold 'em, Kennard said it was necessary for law enforcers to develop a battle plan on how to deal with the issue.
Likewise, the statewide Association of Prosecutors of Utah adopted a resolution on a 12-0 vote Wednesday to diligently pursue gambling violations.
Dinse said law enforcement looks at the "three C's" when dealing with gambling issues: conspicuous, commercial and complaints. In Utah, all three standards are met, he said.
The poker problem has been out in the open, companies have attempted to set up tournaments in various cities and police have received complaints from residents.
Gambling is defined in Utah as risking something of value in an attempt to win something of value in a game of chance.
Kennard said the goal of law enforcers is to educate the public and businesses about what is legal and what is not to avoid potential future problems before they get out of hand.
Yocom said bar owners who engage in illegal gambling or those who set up illegal poker tournaments run the possibility of forfeiting their property.
Having gambling problems reported is important, Kennard said, because his office doesn't have the resources to dedicate investigators full time to the problem. Most problems will be addressed as they are discovered.
"We will be as tough as we have to be," Kennard said.
That's why educating the public is so important, he said.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com
Comments
- 'Potter' reflects on Hogwarts childhood 12:32 p.m.
- U.S. 'gesture' could win release? 12:32 p.m.
- Carrey to be a grandfather 12:26 p.m.
- UFC's milestone event 12:23 p.m.
- Sentencing for con man moved 12:19 p.m.
- New lobbyist reports due Friday 12:08 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested 11:49 a.m.
- Power.com sues Facebook 11:40 a.m.
- Stocks falter 11:39 a.m.
- Mandela stays away from exhibition 11:38 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
139 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
121 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
79 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Single-payer system best
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
To "Anonymous | 11:55 a.m." how is Exxon funding anit-man-made Climate Change...
The Shriner's are a great charity. People who are not Shriner's should...
This guy taught me in Seminary when he was first starting out lol. This is a...
BTW. Mitt Romney supported and raised his family before he went into...
I have seen the monavie presentation and it all comes accross as a snake oil...
Really? Vandalism charges for 2 posters and a sticker? That is the...
To "to Redshirt | 11:46 a.m." here is my plan continued. In the mean time,...
this is a sad story. seminary teachers were always people you could look up...
I'd like to know how she is such a good example of conservative values and...
It reminded me that you have the freedom to leave the United States of...


You can be the first to comment on this story.