BUST POORLY PLANNED

A fundamental question was lost amid the details of the drug bust gone bad
last week ("6 are charged in drug bust on North Side; Sting triggered mayhem
at mall," Oct. 5). Why did police conduct a sting operation in the middle of
the day at one of the city's busiest intersections?

I appreciate law enforcement's commitment to fighting drugs, but they
shouldn't compromise the safety of the public in the process.

The operation shows signs of poor planning. An undercover policeman arranged
to meet a dealer in the parking lot of a crowded store (where there would be
traffic and innocent bystanders). The police thought the dealer and his
posse would have two cars, but they had three.

When the bust went bad -- with shots fired and cars colliding after a brief
chase down a busy frontage road -- it was a miracle no bystanders were
seriously injured. As a nearby resident, I actually feel less safe because
of the operation.

The dealer wasn't standing at U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 selling drugs. Police
lured him there. They need to be more selective about the time and location
of their operations.

Neff Hudson