U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-Wheeling, wants Hancock County's law enforcement community to know that he's got their back.

McKinley recently met with local chiefs of police and Hancock County sheriff's officials, including Sheriff Ralph Fletcher, in a private "roundtable" to discuss the drug abuse "epidemic" and other pressing law enforcement issues.

Although the 90-minute meeting was not open to the public, McKinley said the roundtable was productive and could lead to more resources coming to Hancock County.

"They made some specific requests, and I think we got some answers for them," he said. "It was a good meeting."

Fletcher said he, too, felt the meeting covered some topics of immediate concern, including the proliferation of heroin and opioids, the public's perception of law enforcement, and federal funding for local crime-fighting initiatives.

"I felt the congressman had a lot to add. There was a lot of give-and-take," Fletcher said.

McKinley's visit to New Cumberland and Weirton was part of a statewide sweep that eventually will cover 250 locations. The third-term congressman is running for re-election this year.

Among the issues discussed with the lawmen was the increase in drug trafficking and drug-related deaths in the Northern Panhandle, and the unexpected loss of "equitable sharing" funding from federal asset forfeiture programs.

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