Letter to the Editor: Operation Big Brother reveals crack in the system
I spent much of my day reading the write-ups and social media comments on “Operation Big Brother” that took place in Dubois County during the morning hours of June 5, 2014. I’m so proud of the law enforcement who work tirelessly to stop the rampant spread of drugs in our community.
I also have spent the day extremely frustrated because everyone if not most of those arrested have been arrested before for the same or similar charges. The charges from last nights raids; Dealing in Methamphetamine, Dealing in Cocaine, Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance, etc are filed and heard in the Dubois County Superior Court. This Court is presided over by Judge Mark McConnell.
My frustration comes from the facts I know – if all or most of those arrested have previous charges or convictions than Law Enforcement and the Prosecutors have done their jobs and done them well. They were arrested, charged and convicted but the problem is they are now being arrested again. Who is not doing their job? How many times must the same Judge preside over the same cases with the same people with the same charges before maximum sentences are given and enforced?
My message to Superior Court – do your job, do it well, in fact do it better or step down – so someone more willing can serve our community’s needs.
Sara Schroeder
Huntingburg
Well if it was their first conviction last arrest, chances are they copped a plea for first offenders and served community service and fines and/or ratted someone out as what happened to them. When they got jammed up this time, they most likely will serve a bid in prison but those who it’s their 3rd conviction should qualify for the third strike penalty..25-life. The court system is just as messed up as the dope game.
If you look at programs like Drug Court, these are what addicts and alcoholics need. Not more jail time. Recovery is a very key role in reducing these repeat offences. Jail, work release, and house arrest often compound the addiction, if there is no recovery program put in place. Judge McConnell and the drug court team do an excellent job combining justice and recovery. If you want to fix the problem, you have to start at it’s cause. Jail does nothing to rehabilitate an offender. Support more programs like Drug Court and other recovery based programs before pushing for tons of jail time for these people.
I agree with Jon. I am an addict. and it just so happens that my mother and little brother are two of those arrests that were made last night. they ARE sick. they DO NEED help! I got into some trouble in 2012 and AGAIN in 2013. it wasn’t until I found a program that I was able to put down a needle. I have had my freedom now for just over 60 days, but im still sober. and I haven’t touched a needle since November of 2013.
And for the record, the trouble I got into was in dubois county. It saved my life.
I agree with the author of the article these are dealers who are GREADY not addicts that are “sick”what is really sad to me is the brainwashing these addicts have done to others like their own children. like the girl commenting that doesn’t realize what a monster her mother really is arrested for dealing with her son?really and both of her siblings also addicts using needles throw that gready mother in jail and throw away the key
Dear Dubois county Voters do not be fooled. This ploy to get your vote by using the low man on the totum pole in the drug game is not going to work. It is a foolish attempt of a never-ending revolving circle to get a vote. Everyone knows repeat offenders are easy prey for re-arrest. It is sad that these people are being used for others personal gain. Fix the the problem by giving out stiffer sentences and fines collect drugs and cash take home cars and hold everyone accountable. IF YOU GET ARRESTED BY OR IN DUBOIS COUNTY YOU SHOULD BE IN TEARS NOT SMILING LIKE IT IS ONE BIG JOKE. SO GET SERIOUS AN GET VERKAMP FOR JUDGE. SO WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN SEE THE TEARS. WATCH VERKAMP MAKE IT RAIN.
There are many things you can do to protect your privacy and your defense. Do not use a phone, do not drive with a carload of users, never break more than one law at a time, and above all keep silent until an attorney is present. The police are not your friends when you are a target of investigation. This applies regardless of your level of “criminal” activity, be it a traffic stop or distribution of contraband.
Yes until its your son or daughter, brother or sister, than all that talk about stiffer sentences does not apply its more like there a good person just got mixed up with the wrong crowd and needs HELP! Everyone has broken the law at some point but not everyone has had to stand infront of a judge waiting for there punishment. And no we dont need stiffer punishments for drug addicts when there only hurting themselves and family we need better programs that aint all about making money.