Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jun 1999
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Page: 35A (op-ed page)
Author: Will Blumentritt

TYRANNY OR JUST GOOD POLICING?

In the story ("Police plan use of assets," June 22), we read about the
"facts" as reported by the police and U.S. Customs Service.

The claim is that $3.6 million was seized as a result of apprehending
drug traffickers and money launderers.

However, U.S. government statistics indicate that over 75 percent of
the individuals who have money seized from them are never even charged
with a crime. Is this what America stands for?

If Slobodan Milosevic did this we would call it tyranny. And equally
disturbing is the fact that the Pasadena Police Department's reward
for this taking of money from Americans is over $650,000.

Even one of the most despised professions -- tax collectors -- does
not allow sharing of their collection efforts, for the industry long
ago recognized this as a payoff scheme that virtually guarantees corruption.

Will Blumentritt, 
Houston
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