Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2008
Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Hamilton Spectator
Contact:  http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181
Author: Monica Rhyno

AIM AT CRACK DEALERS, NOT SENIOR POT SMOKERS

Re: 'Church of Universe loses house, pair get jail' (April 26)

It is ridiculous that harmless, pot-smoking senior citizens get
treated like crack dealers. I walk with my child everyday down Barton
Street among numerous prostitutes and crack dealers.

Our city dollars were spent on a 10-month undercover operation that
culminated in less than seven grams of weed, not to mention the court
costs, and "offence-related property" was seized because the judge
said it was a "marijuana convenience store."

I walk by there twice every day and have never seen anyone at their
door, yet on each corner from Sanford to Lottridge, there will be a
dealer in sight and numerous prostitutes morning noon and night. I
will not let my teen daughters walk on Barton because of these blatant
crimes. To treat Walter Tucker and Michael Baldasaro this way only
shows that our city and our police force have confused priorities.

As a citizen and parent, I would much prefer a city of pot smokers
than crackheads.

Monica Rhyno,

Hamilton
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MAP posted-by: Derek