http://www1.tcpalm.com/tcp/trib_local_news/article/0,1651,TCP_1107_2306947,0
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 Local law enforcement cashes in on forfeitures

By Mark Pollio staff writer

September 29, 2003


ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- Local law enforcement agencies have been cashing in on
crime more than ever lately, using forfeitures to line their budget
coffers. 
When law enforcement agencies break up a drug deal, burglary ring or other
criminal operation, they often come across cars and cash used by the
criminals involved. The law enforcement agency involved has the right to
try and claim the money or other items seized. 
In 2002, by mid-September, local law enforcement agencies had filed 26
forfeiture requests. By the same time this year, the number of forfeiture
requests had jumped to 33. 
The cash awarded to local agencies has also jumped during the same period.
According to court records, by September 2002, law enforcement agencies had
been awarded $37,942 in cash. That total increased to $46,071 by September
2003. 
The register rang to the tune of $109,814 for all of 2002. A large drug
bust this year is likely to send the year-end total through the roof.
Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans, who handles the legal work for local
forfeitures, said he is about to file forms to recoup $242,000 from a
recent drug bust. 
"Every now and then we get some huge ones," Evans said. "In this case the
deputies found a few pounds of marijuana and several cabinets full of
cash." 
Evans has to file a request with the court for the money. The actual owner
of the money can come forward and try to claim it at a hearing. In most
cases the owners don't come forward because they have to sign statements
about what the cash or items were being used for. 
"We put them in between a rock and a hard place," Evans said. "If they file
something that's not true, they can be in a lot more trouble." 
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has been the benefactor of the vast
majority of local forfeitures. Along the with the expected $242,000 in
cash, this year's haul has already included a 1997 Camaro and a 2002 Lexus
GS. 
"It's a little unusual to see cars like the Lexus be seized," said Chief
Deputy Garry Wilson. 
Wilson said seized cars are often turned around and used for undercover
drug stings. The Sheriff's Office will use them, then trade them in for
other cars that are used for undercover operations. Wilson said others are
sold at auctions. 
Cash seized is deposited in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The money is
commonly used to conduct drug operations, or provide crime prevention.
Wilson said he thinks the increase in forfeitures parallels an increase in
local drug use. 
"I think the rise in forfeitures is caused by a combination of our growing
community and the sheriff's office's very aggressive approach to drug
enforcement," Wilson said. "I think an increase in arrests has gone along
with it."

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Comment on last paragraph:

The truth is, the "rise in forfeitures" is driven by the natural lust of
the "law enforcement" for other people's property. You may be guilty of
that too -- you just don't have a "monopoly over force" to carry it out. 

Further, it appears that the police have become dependent on forfeitures to
fund their purchase of "goodies".

Leon



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