WYNN SHOULD HAVE REPORTED DRUG INCIDENT

Area residents should be deeply concerned about one aspect of a story
reported in Wednesday's Hattiesburg American.

The article ("Minister won't identify woman to drug agents," April 2, 1A),
recounted the Hattiesburg Police Department's removal of 60 pounds of
marijuana from the Life Center at Mount Carmel Baptist Church on Feb. 24.

According to the Rev. Kenneth Fairley, pastor of the church, he received a
call from a parishioner who asked his advice about what to do with a large
bag of marijuana she found in her house. Fairley says the woman brought the
bag to the church. He then called Hattiesburg Police Chief David Wynn, who
dispatched an officer to remove the drugs.

As noted above, the incident occurred on Feb. 24 - nearly six weeks ago.

However, Wynn didn't make the incident public until Tuesday - when the
Hattiesburg American began asking questions.

Hattiesburg residents need to know why?

Why the delay?

Why, when standard operating procedure is to go public almost immediately
with news of a drug seizure/drug bust, did Wynn wait nearly six weeks to
call a press conference - a "hasty" one, at that?

Wynn said the Hattiesburg Police Department didn't make the incident public
because it was an ongoing investigation.

What investigation?

The Drug Enforcement Agency, which is typically called in when large
amounts of drugs are found, began handling the investigation almost
immediately after the drugs were removed.

Since then, the Hattiesburg Police Department has had a very limited role -
if any - in the investigation.

Wynn's explanation is far from convincing.

The police chief apparently thought it important to contact Hattiesburg
Mayor Johnny DuPree and make him aware of the situation.

But why wasn't the public informed?

Law enforcement authorities have a responsibility to the public to report
drug seizures/drug busts/drug removals - and to do so in a timely manner.

The Hattiesburg Police Department failed the public in this particular
incident.

Taxpayers deserve better - and they deserve answers to the questions we've
raised in this editorial.