Editorial Board
Five years ago after a sting involving 27 arrests, the citizens of Hearne
no doubt wondered if drug dealing was out of control. It turns out that what was out of control was drug investigators.
On Nov. 2, 2000, 27 people, all but one an African-American, were arrested
in a drug sweep. Each went to jail with bond set at $70,000.
Court-appointed lawyers advised guilty pleas to avoid lengthy sentences.
That scary thought was enough to cause one to plea bargain for a
sentence of probation. But the fact is, none of these people was guilty of the crime for which they were charged.
This week a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf
of seven defendants was settled by Robertson County, ending an episode that has proved to be a community's shame.
As was the case in the Panhandle town of Tulia, the word of an unreliable
informant was used to arrest blacks in a sting based on bogus evidence.
These incidents have shed light on a monstrosity called the Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant Program which awards drug task forces money based on how many people they haul in. Indeed, it amounts
to a de facto quota system.
The Bush administration, to its credit, has nearly zeroed-out the $600
million program in its current budget.
Meanwhile, Texas lawmakers have addressed another menace, the regional
task forces behind such overzealous enforcement, in this case the seven-county AgriPlex Drug Task Force.
A few days ago the Texas House voted to abolish the state's regional
drug task forces.
In addition to the Legislature's response, Hearne Police Chief Robert
Parsley, who took command in 2003, has made a concerted effort to increase diversity on his force, adding two black officers.
The force had but one before.
Parsley told the Texas Observer, "There's better communication between
the police department and all the community, not just blacks but Hispanics."
There's got to be. Race-based profiling not only results in atrocities
like this but also can contribute to a powder keg of emotions and grievances by those oppressed.
Hearne has a lot of healing to do.
