CITIZENS SHOULD BE WARY OF DRUG CASE DISMISSALS

The recent dismissals of the drug cases made by the Clarksville Police
Department should be cause for alarm for all citizens, not only in
Clarksville but anywhere decency and values still linger. For months,
officers of the CPD -- as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency --
worked long hours to make solid cases. It was truly a defining moment for
an agency comprised of hardworking men and women. I, along with DEA
supervisors, met with the former U.S. Attorney in Nashville before the
operation started to ensure the support necessary.

For the cases to be dismissed at this juncture is the perfect example of
someone who lost their spine along the way. I noticed that the prosecutor
who helped to perpetuate this sham had the luxury of not having his name
released! How accommodating, since he did not have to venture past the
quiet comfort of his taxpayer-furnished office while men and women risked
their lives (in one case a life was lost) by working in a filthy and foul
underworld that most citizens can't even dream exists.

For almost 25 years, I worked hand-in-hand with local, state and federal
agencies. The "nameless prosecutor" worked hard from the beginning to make
it known to all involved he really did not want to work with these cases.
His actions necessitated a meeting with the U.S. attorney to discuss his
intransigence. I suppose he found a convenient way to demonstrate his lack
of guts when certain community "activists" tried to deflect the real issues
with the frivolous smokescreen and noise of racial profiling.

My opinion is all the evidence in these cases made should be released, so
the public can see the "picture" that should be beside the definition of
travesty in the dictionary.

The citizens of Clarksville and the officers of the CPD deserve better than
this.

V. Lavoyed Hudgins

Atlanta, Ga.