Pubdate: Tue, 22 Jul 2014
Source: Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2014 Newsday Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/308
Author: Estelle Edwards

FORFEITURE POLICY CAN FEED CORRUPTION

Kelly Gordon was killed on the Upper East

Kelly Gordon was killed on the Upper East Side when she was struck by
two separate cabs, police said. (Credit: iStock)

The article "Seized assets boost LI cops" [News, July 14] was long
overdue. It goes to the heart of all that is wrong with government in
general.

Policing today is not about helping people or protecting the public.
It's about government enriching itself at the expense of the taxpayer.
The asset forfeiture laws allow cops to be judge and jury. There is no
due process and no return of property if the person targeted is
innocent of wrongdoing.

What's to prevent a corrupt officer from planting drugs on someone
just to have an excuse to seize property? The article proves that even
law-abiding citizens have much to be concerned about. This problem
won't be solved by politicians. No politician dares to run without
being endorsed by the police unions and accepting their campaign funds.

The pressure is going to have to come from the people. One thing we
can do is push for an end to the drug war. There is a wonderful
organization called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. It's an
organization of criminal justice professionals who believe that the
war on drugs is costly, ineffective and destructive. It undermines
civil liberties and hurts too many innocent people.

Estelle Edwards, Riverhead
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MAP posted-by: Matt