WHAT IS THE COST?

Editor:

After reading the West Hawaii Today article about "Operation Green Harvest"
it occurred to me that the police always report on the number of plants
destroyed (and often their estimate of the street value), but they never
report on what it costs for them to fly around in helicopters and hike
through the hills instead of pursuing murderers, rapists, burglars, and
other real criminals.

I know they receive grants and special funds for these activities. Some of
our large beer brewers often contribute to these programs. But the fact is
these are still police who would otherwise be patrolling our streets and
serving and protecting our citizens.

They seem to be losing sight of the "serve and protect" philosophy.

David Lane

Santa Cruz