Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jul 2003
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2003, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Tom Darwen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/states/ms/ (Mississippi)

CONFISCATED DRUG MONEY SHOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR

I read with disgust the July 17 article under the heading "Police get 
cameras for crime scene work." It was datelined Madison.

It states that District Attorney Rick Mitchell "gave" 15 digital cameras 
costing $800 each (meaning, we must assume, that a total of $12,000 was 
paid to someone for them) to law enforcement agencies in Rankin and Madison 
counties. The article later states that the cameras were paid for with 
confiscated drug money.

So the DA didn't give anything, they were bought with drug money.

Furthermore, I question the exorbitant price that was paid when an 
excellent digital camera, well-suited for this kind of police work, can be 
bought in the open market for less than $400.

Confiscated drug money should be accounted for in the same way any other 
public monies are, and the above constitutes a flagrant waste of public 
funds, regardless of who authorized the purchase.

TOM DARWEN
Gulfport
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