GET RID OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

I take sharp exception to the editorial in Saturday's paper with the
title "Rutherford is slow, on track" alleging the sheriff is "slow"
in five areas.

John Rutherford has said all along that, in too many cases, the
courts, district attorneys and lawyers release the criminals about as
fast as they can be arrested.

Original charges are plea-bargained down from felonies to
misdemeanors. As for the murder rate, the facts are that the majority
occurs in specific sections of Jacksonville with narcotics being the
prime cause.

As to the "proliferation of illegal guns," where did this statistic come from?

Facts are that if the taxpayers are willing to spend the money, we
can hire more police. The sheriff can put them all in high-crime
areas where they, frankly, are not welcome and receive little
cooperation from local citizens.

With time and pressure, we can force new laws and rigid enforcement
of existing laws. However, neither the local taxpayers nor the
sheriff can eliminate the demand for illegal drugs or the entry of
these drugs into our country, which cause the crime that follows.

This editorial totally failed to address the real problems we have.
What is the solution?

First, this is a nationwide problem that will need the federal
government to secure our borders on land, sea and air.

The next thing will be the even tougher job of eliminating the demand
for illegal drugs and with it the opportunity and desire to commit crimes.

None of the three men running for the office of sheriff can do this.

WILLIAM A. CRAIG, Jacksonville