Pubdate: Sun, 30 Apr 2000
Date: 04/30/2000
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Author: Gene Hollowell

The recent controversy surrounding the death of Ismael Mena by police
should highlight the idiocy of the no-knock raids.

Not only are the police violating basic civil rights, supposedly
guaranteed by our Constitution, but killing innocent people in the
name of stopping drugs is inexcusable. The fundamental thinking behind
the policy is flawed because the idea that any big dealer would be
caught in this manner is absurd! The extremely small amount of any
drug that could be suddenly flushed down the toilet is so minimal that
it would have no effect on the overall availability of drugs on the
street. If there was a large amount of an illegal substance it would
take days or in some cases weeks to get rid of it.

No-knock raids should be outlawed in Colorado!

Gene Hollowell,
Guffey