LAKELAND DRUG AREA

In the interest of sharing useful information, I would like to relate
the following true story. My wife, who has resided in this same
community for more than three years and has walked to and from the
same store throughout that time, was, on her way back from said store,
asked by a young man if she had 15 cents so he could get him a drink.
She gave him 15 cents and proceeded to walk home.

A few blocks later, she was stopped by the Lakeland Police and asked
if she had any drugs on her and if they could search her for said
drugs. She said she had no drugs and that they could search her. They
did. She didn't. By way of apology, they told her that it was police
policy to stop suspicious characters in that area as it was a drug
area.

In the past few years, I have known others who have been stopped in
the same general area for the same reason.

Be warned, that area is the downtown area of Lakeland, between Main
and Memorial and between Ingraham and Kathleen. Do not carry backpacks
or give anyone money in this area, or you too could be considered a
suspicious character and stopped.

Max M. Haiflich Jr.

Lakeland