LAW ENFORCEMENT LIMITS NEEDED

Law Enforcement Limits Needed

I couldn't agree more with the Dec. 30 editorial, Unwarranted "drug war"
tactics. The Delta Task Force anti-drug squad in Manatee County, the
Rampart Division in Los Angeles and the on-going Aisenberg trial, are clear
evidence that checks and balances for law enforcement need to be in place.

The vast majority of police officers are law abiding, honest citizens, but
the drug war and the lure of easy money has corrupted a countless number of
law abiding, honest citizens -- including police officers.

To disallow a suspect's attorney from deposing the investigating and
arresting officers before trial would be a travesty of justice that would
further erode civil liberties and confidence in law enforcement.
Law-abiding police officers who do their job within the legal guidelines of
the law should not have a problem answering a few questions from a defense
attorney before trial.

As someone who is experienced with thermal-imaging cameras, I must agree
with the editorial's view of them. These cameras are imprecise tools, and
the images they produce are open to a police officer's interpretations.
With these cameras, officers could literally peer through concrete walls
and watch a husband and wife making love. To use an instrument this
powerful without a search warrant would clearly be an invasion of privacy
and unconstitutional.

To the citizens who are willing to grant the government this kind of
unbridled power in the fight against illicit drugs, I have one thing to
say: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." --

Rick L. Meredith, Tampa

DEALING WITH DRUGS

Re: Unwarranted "drug war" tactics.

Simple drug use and possession should be tolerated, as in the Dutch or
Canadian models. Drug problems (read: addiction) are health problems, not
criminal justice issues. Jails are not equipped for treatment of addiction.

Fully funding a drug court would just dump more tax dollars into the
criminal justice system and continue to entrench the culture of
incarceration. Using the Florida National Guard as a police force is rather
disturbing and Gestapo-like. How long before we must show our identity
papers at the checkpoint?

Chris Howard, St. Petersburg