Listen to Matt Welch on San Diego's KOGO AM 600 at 6:05 pm Pacific Time

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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[Rich]

Good job. We'll see what happens as a result of Chris plugging H&R.

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.

[Ann]

Nice blog you have, i have put up this site in my favo

[R C Dean]

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.

[James Ard]

Matt, how are you going to hear Glenn Beck's instructions on saving America if you're busy blabbing about California at 6pm.

[James Ard]

Oops, silly me, that'd be 8 my time.