Pubdate: Wed, 05 Feb 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Tom Yancy

MELTON'S 'COPS AND ROBBERS' IS SCARY

As a downtown resident, I don't know what is scarier: newly appointed 
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton's Gestapo tactics to 
clamp down on drug users or the arrival of our esteemed elected 
representatives.

Both scenarios give me chills.

At least the legislators aren't swooping around in helicopters and playing 
"cops and robbers" with our lives. Granted, they're suspect characters, 
every one. But they don't have badges and guns.

Believe me, I would much rather deal with an errant lawmaker than a 
pumped-up police officer acting out some authoritative fantasy under the 
direction of a boss who seems to enjoy the toys of his position more than 
the obligation to "protect and serve" as a duly certified law enforcement 
official.

I was stunned to read that Melton attributes his tactics to some nebulous 
"homeland security" concerns. Beware, citizens.

It's bad enough that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney 
General John Ashcroft are running roughshod over our civil liberties. To 
have local officers deciding what is considered a national security concern 
is scary.

Tom Yancy

Jackson
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