MISSING DRUGS RAISE TROUBLING QUESTIONS

We are disappointed with news out of Dyer that drug evidence linked to three
cases disappeared some time in late March. The loss could, and should, have
been prevented. It raises serious questions about whether Dyer Police Chief
Scott Deavers is running a tight ship.

The drugs disappeared over the weekend of March 27-28 after they were left
in an unlocked desk drawer by canine handler and drug officer John Grogan,
who has since resigned. Police suspect that someone in a group of four
trusties who had been working around the station that weekend might have
taken them. Trusties had been going in and out of the building to use the
restroom.

To be fair, Dyer police have recently relocated to a new building. But it
still isn't an adequate excuse for such an egregious lapse.

This incident raises several pressing questions. First, why were the drugs
left lying around in an unlocked drawer while the officer went home for the
weekend? With inmates - even trusties - wandering in and out of the building
all day - apparently unsupervised - it simply defies common sense. The
evidence should have been secured in a locked desk drawer. Even better,
Deavers should invest in an inexpensive gun safe where evidence can be
secured.

Another troubling question is why supervision of trusties is so lax. On the
weekend in question, the officer guarding the inmates had to leave several
times to go on calls, leaving them alone. Clearly, Deavers needs to schedule
additional officers to help with weekend work details. If need be, he should
hire additional officers to beef up security. This isn't just a matter of
inmate security. It's a matter of public safety.

We also are disappointed that the lines of communication between Deavers and
Mayor Sam Thompson aren't better. Thompson was unaware of the missing
evidence or the ongoing investigation until told by The Jackson Sun.

Certainly, Thompson shouldn't micromanage day-to-day operations of the
police department. But when things get this far off track, he should be
advised. Deavers should be forthright in answering these pressing questions.
More important, he should take steps to address these concerns, to make sure
it never happens again.