Pubdate: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 Source: West Hawaii Today (HI) Contact: 2002 West Hawaii Today Website: http://westhawaiitoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/644 Author: David Lane Note: For more on medical cannabis and cannabis eradication in Hawaii go to http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii WHAT IS THE COST? Editor: After reading the West Hawaii Today article about "Operation Green Harvest" it occurred to me that the police always report on the number of plants destroyed (and often their estimate of the street value), but they never report on what it costs for them to fly around in helicopters and hike through the hills instead of pursuing murderers, rapists, burglars, and other real criminals. I know they receive grants and special funds for these activities. Some of our large beer brewers often contribute to these programs. But the fact is these are still police who would otherwise be patrolling our streets and serving and protecting our citizens. They seem to be losing sight of the "serve and protect" philosophy. David Lane Santa Cruz - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk