DRUG ENFORCEMENT BETTER

The effort to combat drug law violations has done nothing but increase
since Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski took over. If Bill
Evers would have bothered to verity the information he is getting from
his sources within the agency, administrators and officers alike, he
would have found that there is a unit - the Safe Streets Unit - to
combat the narcotics and prostitution problem. If Evers had done the
slightest bit of research he would have found that the Safe Streets
Unit changed its role and personnel in early January, shortly after
Radzilowski took over. The unit is now considered a tactical street
unit. Maybe Evers' inside sources neglected to tell him this detail.

Perhaps the truth didn't fit in his mudslinging assault against
Radzilowski and Mayor Wayne Poston. Since its redirection in January,
the unit has made quite an impact, especially in narcotics
enforcement. From Jan. 9 to Feb. 9 there were 43 narcotic violation
arrests departmentwide, 22 of which were made by the Safe Streets
Unit. This unit makes up about 10 percent of the sworn officers, but
accounted for 50 percent of the drug-related arrests. In that period,
the unit seized one kilo of cocaine, 60 grams of marijuana and a
firearm that was stolen out of Sarasota.

No drug enforcement unit? Sounds like Evers is up to his old tactics
of backing the officers of BPD and trying to scare the public with
untruths and unfounded allegations. Contrary to what his disgruntled
sources are saying, the fact is training, equipment and pay are
better. And none of the officers had to become brain surgeons to get
better pay.

SHELBY BENCH

St. Petersburg