PHONY DRUG CHECKPOINTS PUT ON HOLD FOR REVIEW

Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson decided Monday not to use more phony
drug checkpoints on interstate highways until he reviews their effectiveness.

Anderson made the decision after discussing the controversial strategy with
sheriff's Maj. Scott Robinett, the department's covert operations commander.

Robinett organized a two-day effort last week on the Northwestside where
deputies set up phony checkpoints and patrolled the southbound lanes of
I-65 between 71st and 86th streets.

Deputies issued 42 traffic tickets, some to motorists making illegal
U-turns trying to avoid the checkpoints. Deputies also made four arrests
for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.

The checkpoints snared no big drug dealers, but "you cast your net to sea
enough times, you'll catch a whale," Robinett said.

Authorities believe I-65 is a major pipeline for bringing illegal drugs
into Marion County.

Actual drug checkpoints aren't allowed in Indiana because of a U.S. Supreme
Court decision.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union is assessing the legality of the phony
checkpoints. Others worry the checkpoints create the potential for
accidents as motorists try to avoid them.

"The law against making U-turns in the median is there for a reason. Is it
really prudent to set up a situation encouraging illegal U-turns on
high-speed highways?" said Jim Baxter, president of the Waunakee, Wis.-
based National Motorists Association.

"All we're trying to do is stop illegal drugs; who can oppose it?" Robinett
said.