STRICT HOUSING RULES HAVE REDUCED CRIME

Regarding the recent editorial on evictions from public housing ("Public
housing evictions trample on rights of poor," @issue, April 1): I am amazed
that those of you in your fine office buildings, several floors up and away
from daily drug activity, with nothing more than a bleeding heart for a
conscience, can opine so negatively on a subject whose benefit far
outweighs the consequences.

I am chairman of a very small housing authority (less than 1 percent the
size of the Atlanta Housing Authority). We've seen our administration
office firebombed. We've had gunfights. Fistfights. In other words, terrorism.

Yes, there are excesses and abuse in government, but ask the neighboring
tenants how they feel. Ask the neighbors of a next-door shooting. Ask the
neighbors whose child becomes addicted to crack.

Renee Glover is more than correct; she's right on target. Since the Clinton
edict in '96, our authority has slowly but surely created a cleaner and
safer environment for less fortunate single parents, the elderly and
families in general.

I only wish I had the authority to evict the liberal media.

HUGHES THRELKELD, Vidalia