Albuquerque police say they will no longer set up reverse drug stings involving the homeless.
Albuquerque’s homeless won’t be target of reverse drug sting
Albuquerque police say they will no longer set up reverse drug stings involving the homeless.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1sVmg11) that while police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza defended the use of such a tactic, she says the department will refrain from using it on homeless people.
City officials have voiced concerns about undercover operations luring homeless people to buy drugs in order to arrest them.
The decision comes as Mayor Richard Berry is highlighting city programs under his administration aimed at panhandlers and the homeless.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/29/albuquerques-homeless-wont-be-target-of-reverse-dr/
interviews last week, a broad cross-section of city councilors expressed serious reservations about reverse stings – especially a recent operation in which undercover officers sold small amounts of drugs to homeless people, then arrested them.
“It’s ridiculous,” said Councilor Klarissa Peña, a West Side Democrat. “It’s a shame – embarrassing, kind of.”
Republicans also voiced concern.
“Given the shortage of officers and the demands of the Department of Justice, aiding or enticing homeless people to buy $5 of crack is probably not worth our time or resources,” said City Council President Dan Lewis, a Republican from the West Side.
The debate over the reverse drug sting comes as Berry, a Republican, touts the success of several city programs launched under his administration to help homeless people and panhandlers. The city has won national recognition for offering day jobs to panhandlers and finding places to live for people the most at risk of dying on the streets.
Berry said his office had no part in the reverse drug sting.
http://www.abqjournal.com/782657/city-leaders-blast-apd-reverse-drug-sting.html
