Matt Welch | August 27, 2009
I'll be talking for a half-hour or so on San Diego's premier news/talk radio with guest host Chris Reed about California's problems, the real reason Americans are angry at their legislators, and more. You can hopefully listen live at this link.
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Published August 27, 2009 09:27 am -
Tough on drugs:
Some citizens concerned about increased presence of deputies
By Ellis Goodwin
Staff Writer
Many of Chickasha's east side residents are living in fear.
Whether its a fear of local drug dealers or local law enforcement,
they feel it.
The Grady County Sheriff's Department has increased its presence in
the area. Sheriff Art Kell said his deputies are actively and
aggressively investigating potential drug dealers, but some local
residents say their tactics are more like harassing than
investigating.
"I think its a lot of racial profiling going on," Chickasha
resident Keiden Houston said. "If you assume they're doing
something, where is it."
Other residents of the east side feel the increased presence is an
intrusion on their lifestyle, but Kell said the increased presence
is necessary because he was asked to eradicate the drugs from the
neighborhood.
Aggressive investigation
Kell said he and his deputies are not overstepping their
boundaries. They are simply answering the requests of numerous
other citizens.
"Racism is no issue here. It's about who is breaking the law," Kell
said. "My obligation it to protect the people...If you act
suspicious and look suspicious, then we're gonna stop you."
Kell said he has two canine units serving the county. He fully
supports using the dogs in routine traffic stops.
"A lot of times that's how you find a lot of drugs," he said.
Kell said he believes his deputies are not harassing people. He
said he has worked hard to bring in deputies who want to work hard
and get rid of the "troublemakers." Others in his department know
what is expected of them.
Racism is no issue here. . . If you act suspicious and
look suspicious, then we're gonna stop
you.
Nothing to see here. Just move along.
He fully supports using the dogs in routine traffic
stops.
If I lived where there were lots of "routine" traffic stops with
drug dogs, I believe I would keep my vehicle liberally dusted with
cayenne pepper.
Matt, how are you going to hear Glenn Beck's instructions on saving America if you're busy blabbing about California at 6pm.
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