Pubdate: Sun, 30 Apr 2000
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2000 The Denver Post
Contact:  1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (303) 820.1502
Website: http://www.denverpost.com/
Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm
Author: Gene Hollowell

KILLING INNOCENTS IN NAME OF STOPPING DRUGS INEXCUSABLE

The recent controversy surrounding the death of Ismael Mena by police should
highlight the idiocy of the no-knock raids.

Not only are the police violating basic civil rights, supposedly guaranteed
by our Constitution, but killing innocent people in the name of stopping
drugs is inexcusable. The fundamental thinking behind the policy is flawed
because the idea that any big dealer would be caught in this manner is
absurd! The extremely small amount of any drug that could be suddenly
flushed down the toilet is so minimal that it would have no effect on the
overall availability of drugs on the street. If there was a large amount of
an illegal substance it would take days or in some cases weeks to get rid of
it.

No-knock raids should be outlawed in Colorado!

Gene Hollowell, Guffey
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk