ARREST-FREE ZONE

Having worked throughout the city of Ocala, I see what goes on day and
night throughout the city. Areas of Ocala are a disgrace because of
drugs and prostitution; other areas are free of these problems.

I frequently see in the Star-Banner articles concerning stings on
drugs and prostitution. The Royal Inn and Shangri La motels are where
stings frequently occur. However, prostitutes seem to roam the streets
with complete impunity and drug dealers are primarily in the Parkside
Apartments area, but also on Fort King Street in the six to eight
blocks west of Pine Avenue, just off U.S. 40.

The same prostitutes can be seen during the day and all night long.
The police never seem to try to curtail this.

Strangely, there are two different churches along this road where God-
fearing Christians pray and attend services regularly. I would think
the pastors of these churches would make an effort to get their
parishioners to sign petitions or call the Ocala Police Department and
the Sheriff's Office to voice their concern.

The prostitutes pose no threat to the children around the two motels
mentioned above as there are no children. But the other area is a
residential area abundant with young people. I often see drug dealers
and prostitutes talking to these young people.

I'll tell you what the children think: you can make lots of money
dealing drugs and in prostitution and the police don't seem to even
care.

I have personally written Sheriff Ed Dean about this unexplainable
area that seems to be off limits to arrests, but nothing was done.
Perhaps this letter might light a fire under enough residents who care
about their children and who their children very likely will look to
as role models. This area seems to be off limits to law enforcement
for some reason.

Jack McCarthy

Lady Lake