NOT SHOCKED

Re: "Cops shocked by crack-dealing kid." (Aug. 27). I for one am not
shocked in the slightest. Does anyone who knows these people and this drug
really think there would be any kind of morality associated with them?

Certainly the police should be the last ones to be surprised. I have worked
near the Cecil Hotel and the "Drop Out" (sic) centre for nearly four years
and see what effects drugs like crack cocaine and heroin have on what could
be called the "most undesirable element" of society.

Police have their hands tied already by search and seizure laws, and can
expect no help from 'Camp Corrections Canada.'

I witness crack cocaine dealing and use everyday, and I used to call the
police to alert them when dealers were in the neighborhood.

My co-workers and I compiled lists of licence plates and vehicle
descriptions and would hand them to police, hoping it would make a difference.

The only thing that has changed, however, is the police no longer return
our calls when we offer these lists.

Indeed, the last call we made, we were told there was nothing they could do
unless they themselves saw a transaction taking place.

It seems they finally did see for themselves a crack transaction and busted
the offender.

He must have gotten careless. After all, he was only eight years old.

Steven J. Saretsky

(Sad state of affairs.)