TRUST THE POLICE ON FORFEITURES

Regarding the forfeiture policy that is utilized by the Bradenton
Police Department, I say keep up the practice until the document in
question is proven to be wrong, in a court of law. To make the leap
that this procedure is corrupt because "other police departments" have
had corruption in their ranks is nonsensical. Let the police do their
job! If It is effective/legal and streamlines the process in
confiscating drug monies, all the better for our citizens and society.
Believe it or not we do not need lawyers to solve all of our problems.
The police, better than anyone, know the "players" in the drug world,
and the utilization of this document saves our city time and money as
well as keeping officers on the street, fighting crime rather than in
court fighting our overburdened legal system. I still place my trust
and confidence in the police until proven otherwise.

Those who argue that it violates due process are wrong as this issue
has been before the courts. This proves the offended party can still
have the issue decided in a court of law, that is, due process.

Of course the people in the drug trade (they are criminals, by the
way) are opposed to this policy. Why let the police take their
"hard-earned" money. They risk their lives and well-being in the drug
trade. They have to put up with the criminal element associated with
their profession: break-ins, robberies, prostitution,
drive-by-shootings, etc.

Let us all support our police.

C. PRESTON GRIFFITH

Bradenton