CONSTABLE'S RESIGNATION WAS CORRECT DECISION

Most East Texans are a forgiving, "live-and-letlive" people.
Generally they allow a person a mistake without being condemning.

In the case of Jasper County Precinct 6 Constable Fred Peters, it
appears most feel the embattled constable has gone past the forgiving stage.

On Feb. 1 of this year, Peters was arrested in Jefferson County on a
charge of theft by check. That charge was dismissed when the
constable made restitution to the offended party. Live and let live.

But Peters has seemingly fallen by the wayside twice more since that
incident. He was arrested on June 27 in Lumberton for public
intoxication. Peters was a passenger in an automobile stopped by
Lumberton police.

The theft by check and public intoxication charges are misdemeanors.

However, Peters latest alleged misstep is considerably more serious.

He was arrested in Silsbee last week in a police sting operation on
illicit drugs. Peters was charged with possession with intent to
distribute. That charge is a felony and not only are some of Peters'
Precinct 6 constituents unforgiving, so may be the State of Texas and
the federal government.

Peters faces charges by the state and by M the federal Drug
Enforcement Agency. In addition, the felony charge must be reported
to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and
Education where he could have his peace officer's license suspended.

The less-forgiving constituents, however, have petitioned for his
immediate removal from that elective position. Peters himself made
that petition moot on Monday, by doing the right thing and resigning.

Perhaps the most disturbing charge against Peters that was in the
petition stated that he maintains no phone number where he can be
reached either by his constituency or by other law enforcement
officers needing his services. That charge would seem to be borne out
by a statement by Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride, who told The
Jasper Newsboy that he had not seen Peters in more than a year.

Peters has been elected every four years since 1989 by the people of
Precinct 6 to serve as part of the law enforcement protection for that area.

As of Monday afternoon Peters remained in the Hardin County Jail. As
a result of his resignation, county officials can now take the
appropriate steps to see that the residents of Precinct 6 receive the
proper law enforcement they deserve.