ANTICS OF THESE BOZOS PROVIDE A DEADLY THREE-RING CIRCUS

Cook County Jail ringmaster Sheriff Michael Sheahan is looking for a few
good men to replace the swelling ranks of deputies on administrative leave,
on trial or otherwise in hot water. Watching the antics of his deputies in
like watching a three-ring circus.

Recently, as Judge Clayton Crane acquitted five Cook County deputy sheriffs
of all charges arising out of a post-party police chase, he said, "If I
could sentence these officers to wear red noses for the bozos they are, I
would do that."

But these are not the only bozos in the Cook County sheriff's office. Judge
Ronald A. Himel recently acquitted three more. Others await trial on
charges for other escapades.

From a wedding reception brawl and strangulation death in Countryside, to
the demise of a thirsty prisoner locked in a Bridgeview courthouse holding
cell, to the broken cheekbone of a Brown's Chicken villain held for
safe-keeping in the world's largest jail, to the arrest and charging of two
deputies on first degree murder charges for allegedly bungling the
collection of a $70,000 drug debt, to a Wild Bill Hickok shoot-'em-up car
chase down the streets of Cook County - the sheriff's office and law
enforcement are made to look like a circus show. And a string of
acquittals, however long, is not exonerating them.

The Cook County sheriff's office should be looking for some replacement
deputies, not some bozos who think that the constitution has something to
do with capacity to hold one's liquor or the ability to eat anything
without getting a bellyache, or that boots are for kicking inmates or that
badges carry a grant of immunity from the law.

It was shameful enough when the Cook County sheriff's office countenanced
the strip-search of women as a part of its jail release protocol (can't
have jail contraband spilling over the walls to the outside) and
facilitated the mistaken service of quashed and recalled warrants like the
Sheriff of Nottingham. But recent antics take the cake.

Sheriff Sheahan was elected to clean house after a corrupt administration
led by Cook County Sheriff James O'Grady and to plug the holes in the Cook
County Jail sieve, through which inmates were regularly escaping. The
mission was not, however, to unleash undisciplined hellions on citizens
inside and outside of the jail.

With regard to Judge Crane's acquittal of five bozos, perhaps the Cook
County sheriff's office needs a new slogan - "Don't booze-o when bozo- ing"
- - patterned after the rule "Don't drink and drive."

JAMES E. GIERACH

Oak Lawn
------------------------------------------
Fine Drug Awareness Seminar; Thanks For Everyone's Efforts

As a parent and school board member, I'd like to thank New Lenox Mayor Mike
Smith, New Lenox Police Chief Walter Kaszubski and Will County Sheriff's
Deputy Chief Paul Kaupas for their efforts in sponsoring the parent drug
awareness seminar May 29.

Many people contributed toward the presentation including: Sgt. Lora Del
Bianco and officer Aurena Davis of the New Lenox Police Department, and
Sgt. David Knutson and investigator Pete Piazza of the Will County Gang
Suppression Unit. It was a great presentation that all parents would
benefit from.

I am also compelled to recognize David Sutor of Hazelden Clinic and the
three-area high school graduates that spoke eloquently of the drug scene in
our local high schools and their struggles of drug/alcohol abuse and their
journey to present day sobriety.

The resounding message from all speakers that evening was: Parents,
communicate and stay involved with your children. Parents need to know what
their children are doing and whom they are doing it with. Communication and
education are the keys to keeping your children safe and free from the
negative effects of drugs and alcohol use.

As a community member, I applaud the effort of our public servants and
parents that attended the meeting, but was disheartened by the sparse
attendance of our community at this informative meeting.

DAVID L. BUTTERFIELD

New Lenox