REAL CRIME

Dear Editor,

Allocating scarce and essential law resources attempting to enforce a
counterproductive and unworkable law while serious crimes go unsolved is
highly questionable. Yet Marlborough police wasted their time and resources
in a recent anti cannabis operation. (Marlborough Express, 22/05/03)).

This operation was reported to involve around 20 police and support staff,
a helicopter, dogs trained in drug detection work, and numerous
vehicles. I wonder if Marlborough police would be willing to disclose
exactly how many police hours and taxpayers dollars this cost? How many
property crimes and acts of violence went unsolved while police were busy
ripping out plants and arresting cannabis growers and users?

I'd rather police got on with solving real crimes. They've got much more
important things to do than larking around in the bush on petty cannabis
recovery operations.

Yours,

Duncan Eddy