GETTING A GRIP ON SLIPPERY SUSPECTS

Lake County police demonstrated Tuesday they follow through on suspects who
try to evade the law. Starting at 5:30 a.m., teams of police visited the
homes of people wanted on arrest warrants to hunt them down.

All those sought had evaded the law in drug cases. Some had been charged
but failed to appear in court; some had posted bond but had not shown up
again in court; and others had been convicted but failed to show up for
their sentencing hearings.

Obviously, police and the courts wouldn't be doing their jobs, or sending
the right message, if they let these fugitives slip away from drug charges
and convictions.

It is important for our criminal-judicial system to enforce the drug laws
on the books, and it is important for young people to see that those who
violate drug laws get sentenced and punished appropriately.

Police took 28 suspects, about half of the 55 sought, into custody. They
left messages for the rest to turn themselves in. Based on past experience,
they expect about 10 percent more to do so in coming days, now that they
know police are looking for them.

We acknowledge the good police work that goes into these periodic sweeps
and urge police to vigorously track down those who got away.