Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jan 2004
Source: Delta Democrat Times (MS)
Copyright: 2004 Delta Democrat Times
Contact:  http://www.ddtonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2123
Author: Michael Kerner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1890/a11.html

DRUG RAIDS QUESTIONED

To the editor:

As I read the editorial in the Delta Democrat Times "The Court Made the
Right Call," I was trying to decide if the newspaper was serious or being
sarcastic.

I just could not believe that anyone would think that 20 second warnings
followed by a battering ram entry is desirable.

There is no danger of the police turning into Rambos, that has already
happened. It is definitely not true that if you are innocent you have
nothing to worry about. Innocent people are killed in that type of drug raid
all the time.

In fact it is the innocent ones that get killed. The guilty are not
surprised and they lie down quietly. It is the innocent ones who assume this
is a home invasion robbery and fight back.

And why is this life-threatening tactic used? To prevent some suspected drug
dealer from flushing the evidence down the toilet.

Sorry, real bad trade off there.

Michael Kerner,

Lenexa, Kan.
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MAP posted-by: Josh