According to some sources in the community, "this raid was the results of the request by citizens of a sheriff's office developed community organization." This community organization has met recently, and another meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20.

The problem with these types of community organizations developed by the sheriff's office is that they are self-serving for the sheriff's office, and it's only the sheriff's office that benefits.

It is unclear what drugs were confiscated as a result of the drug raid Friday but several persons were arrested. One individual was held in handcuffs for hours and later arrested on a misdemeanor charge for possessing less than 20 ounces of marijuana found while searching through some jeans found during the search. Another suspect was held for the same period while deputies attempted to determine the disposition of $16,000 that the suspect had in his possession when the residence he was visiting was raided.

 The individual was not arrested after being handcuffed with his hands behind his back for hours, but the sheriff office kept the $16,000.

For some, this would be construed as a crime of robbery, but according to some residents throughout the South Brooksville community, this is business as usual for sheriff's deputies patrolling the community.
"We knew a raid was coming", said one resident, but this time "it came earlier than we expected." The resident stated that they "expect at least two raids to be conducted on Peach Street every year," one normally in March or early April, and another one around November. Residents stated that "these raids accomplish little in stopping the drug activity on Peach Street."

The raid was witnessed by this writer Feb. 9.

After the massive drug force that arrived in an armored vehicle with approximately 30 heavily armed SWAT members, displaying and firing their weapons, with over 30 police vehicles and scores of other sheriff's personnel left Peach Street five hours later, the drug peddlers immediately returned to their stations.

Did the sheriff's office leave a patrol behind to ensure the safety of the residents after the drug raid? The answer to this question is no.

A concern for taxpayers is how much did it cost for this raid that basically accomplished nothing? It had to be costly to have dozens of deputies standing around doing nothing but drawing a salary, while their co-worker search but confiscate little. However, for the sheriff's office, hopefully, if it is able to retain the $16,000 confiscated from the suspect that was not arrested, this $16,000 might help in defraying the cost of the drug raid.

But if there is any justice left in Hernando County, the sheriff's office will have to return to this suspect his $16,000.

The actions of the sheriff's office to conduct a raid of this magnitude on city residents without any real involvement by city law enforcement officials other than blocking the entry to Peach Street seems like an overkill, and poses questions of lack of jurisdictional restraint by the sheriff. Is it practical or legal for the sheriff's office to develop a county-based citizen organization and use the output to descend on the residents of South Brooksville?

One response from a sheriff's deputy involved in the raid when asked whether this raid was overkill, he responded that the residents should be happy about their actions and the raid.

For the residents of South Brooksville, as Ray Charles used to sang, "It's Crying Time Again." For the sheriff's office it's "grant seeking time again" and in November, it will be grant-seeking time again.

Richard L. Howell
Brooksville

http://www.hernandotoday.com/letters/MGB1246H3YE.html