COVERT NARCOTICS EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SECRET

I would like to take a moment to write a letter to the editor concerning
covert narcotics equipment in the newspaper. This is in response to the
article "Laurel Police Department using seized money to buy equipment".

I'm the Commander of the Southeast Mississippi Drug Task Force. I also
worked for the Laurel Police Department's Narcotics Division for a number
of years prior to being Commander of the Drug Task Force. It never ceases
to amaze me that the City of Laurel would spend $6,775 on very "covert"
narcotics equipment and then turn around and describe it "in detail" in the
newspaper. I can understand that the public has the right to know what is
being purchased and a detailed description of the equipment is on the
paperwork at city hall. But, do they have to put it in the newspaper so
every drug dealer in town knows what the narcotics division is going to
purchase to fight drugs in the city?

Do they realize that this tells the drug dealers exactly what to look for
when selling illegal drugs and if this equipment is found on someone or
something it could get someone hurt or killed? If they have to put a
description in the newspaper make it a very "vague one" and not a "detailed
one". I'm sure the Laurel Narc. Agents would agree, somethings just don't
belong in the newspaper. I find a little common sense goes a long way in
drug enforcement.

Roger Williams, Commander, Southeast Ms Drug Task Force, Laurel