REVEALING UNDERCOVER WORK IS BAD

The Herald-Tribune has acted irresponsibly by printing an article,
editorial and columns regarding the reverse sting operations carried
out in Sarasota by Sarasota Police Department undercover detectives
working with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. In a weak attempt to
present some level of investigative reporting, the paper has done
little more than endanger the lives of dedicated police officers and
their families. It is not newsworthy that high-level crime goes on in
Anytown, U.S.A. Criminals do business in nice places and stay in nice
hotels. To ignore that fact is sophomoric and will certainly not make
crime go away.

Fortunately, we have a government that is not afraid to pursue these
people instead of giving into the greed and avarice of high-level
crime. Furthermore, most towns have members of their police department
that cooperate with the federal government on drug-traffic crimes.

Successful projects result in confiscation of significant amounts of
money, which is available to the local police department. It may cost
a few thousand dollars to train police officers in undercover work.
Luxury cars and nice hotels are required to do business with high-end
criminals.

Drug busts that result in $2 million of income for the city are a
pretty good return on the investment. The community of Sarasota and
your newspaper staff should simply thank those involved for a job well
done.

Tom Schwartz

Sarasota