Pubdate: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2003 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.heraldtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398 Author: Tom Schwartz Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1567/a03.html REVEALING UNDERCOVER WORK IS BAD The Herald-Tribune has acted irresponsibly by printing an article, editorial and columns regarding the reverse sting operations carried out in Sarasota by Sarasota Police Department undercover detectives working with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. In a weak attempt to present some level of investigative reporting, the paper has done little more than endanger the lives of dedicated police officers and their families. It is not newsworthy that high-level crime goes on in Anytown, U.S.A. Criminals do business in nice places and stay in nice hotels. To ignore that fact is sophomoric and will certainly not make crime go away. Fortunately, we have a government that is not afraid to pursue these people instead of giving into the greed and avarice of high-level crime. Furthermore, most towns have members of their police department that cooperate with the federal government on drug-traffic crimes. Successful projects result in confiscation of significant amounts of money, which is available to the local police department. It may cost a few thousand dollars to train police officers in undercover work. Luxury cars and nice hotels are required to do business with high-end criminals. Drug busts that result in $2 million of income for the city are a pretty good return on the investment. The community of Sarasota and your newspaper staff should simply thank those involved for a job well done. Tom Schwartz Sarasota - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin