Pubdate: Tue, 14 Aug 2012
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2012 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Brandon Levey

SWAT TEAM RAID WAS A PRODUCT OF OUR MISGUIDED 'WAR ON DRUGS'

The death of a Reisterstown man who was not the subject of a police
arrest warrant during a SWAT team raid this summer unfortunately is
nothing new ("Reisterstown fatality raises concerns about police
raids," Aug. 9). Since President Reagan initiated the so-called "war
on drugs" in 1981, these tactics have become increasingly common.

SWAT teams were originally intended for violent situations. Today,
however, they are deployed quite regularly, often to serve narcotics
warrants as part of this misguided and racially biased "war on drugs."

It is time to end this senseless "war" and stop using our police
forces in this dangerous manner. Unfortunately, President Obama,
despite his rhetoric, has been a disappointment on this issue. It's
time for a change in policies.

Brandon Levey, Baltimore
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MAP posted-by: Matt