Pubdate: Fri, 05 Sep 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122

THE WRONG SITE FOR A DRUG BUST

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey was right to criticize a 
gang task force for setting up a potentially dangerous drug bust in 
the middle of the afternoon in a well-used city park.

In fact, the operation did turn violent, with the suspect drawing a 
.380-caliber semi-automatic pistol when uniformed officers arrived. 
Joseph Valverde was then shot dead by an officer.

It's unfortunate that this suspected drug trafficker lost his life, 
but the incident could have been worse. What if the gunfire that 
erupted in a parking lot near Overland Pond Park had strayed and hit 
other people who were merely enjoying the park or riding on the 
nearby bike trail?

The Metro Gang Task Force surely should have understood the risks of 
buying 2 kilos of cocaine from someone who authorities said was also 
a known gun trafficker.

We don't disagree with Morrissey's finding that the officer who shot 
Valverde was justified in doing so. But it was refreshing to see the 
district attorney go beyond the bare bones of that issue and offer 
well-founded criticism of police strategy.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom