WRONG TACTICS USED

Re: "Bini gets probation in fatal raid," Dec. 2.

It is not just Hispanic activists who are furious with the wrongful death
of Ismael Mena and subsequent probation of police officer Joseph Bini.

The taking of an innocent life by the use of deadly force and avoidance of
meaningful consequences for mishandling drug busts by law enforcement is a
too-common occurrence. Of course, the taxpayers will end up paying the
wrongful death settlement. And law enforcement will continue to pursue
their failed and expensive war on drugs policy.

The bottom line is that citizens are spending billions of dollars each year
in an attempt to eradicate drug use. Maybe one day our lawmakers will wise
up and realize that more of the taxpayers' dollars should be going for
education, prevention and treatment instead of deadly force tactics.

JIM McCLURE Loveland