Posted on 01/19/2006 11:43:09 AM PST by DJ Taylor
Aspen - The war on drugs has turned into a nasty war of words in a town once renowned for drug use.
It seems the Aspen of legend - a place where cocaine was openly snorted in restaurant bars in the 1970s - has evolved and become divided when it comes to illegal substances.
This is still an Aspen where federal drug agents can be heckled in a public meeting, but it is also an Aspen where longtime residents express worry about what kind of message a laissez- faire attitude about drugs sends to kids.
The change was evident Tuesday evening as Aspen residents packed the City Council chambers to voice their often impassioned opinions about the future of drug enforcement in the town and the mistakes of a downtown drug raid on Dec. 2.
"I think the community values have changed over the past decade. It's a sea change," Aspen resident Mike Maple said during the council's public hearing on how drug enforcement will be carried out in Aspen from here on.
DEA special agent-in-charge Jeffrey Sweetin, who came under fire during much of the meeting, said this is the first time in his 20 years as an agent that he has ever been asked by a community to do less drug enforcement.
He also said that regardless of what the council decided - on suggestions that included creating a citizen task force to review large-scale police actions and having the city manager review all such actions before they are carried out - the DEA will continue to work in Aspen.
"My guys will be back. Whenever a case brings us to Aspen, we will be back," he said to some hectoring from the 80 or so people in attendance.
The flash point for the drug war of words occurred early last month when, during happy hour, 53 armed local and federal officers stormed two popular restaurants, Little Annie's Eating House and the Cooper Street Pier. They also bore arrest and search warrants for suspected drug dealers and drugs.
The officers arrested 10 people on drug charges and 11 on immigration violations. They seized about 5 ounces of cocaine - some of it stashed with food in a kitchen condiment container - and about $5,000 in cash.
The raid was carried out by the Aspen Police Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. But the Pitkin County Sheriff's Department was not informed about the raid. Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis has long been an advocate of relaxed drug enforcement.
The raid raised the hackles of Aspen residents - and some local officials - for many reasons, including the fact that Braudis was not informed about the large-scale operation.
That complaint was dealt with Tuesday when Aspen City Manager Steve Barwick said he has asked Braudis and Aspen Police Chief Loren Ryerson to come up with a written agreement specifying when they will communicate with each other about pending law-enforcement actions.
Other complaints have created an unprecedented buzz about drugs at a time when the quality of the powder on Aspen Mountain is usually the main topic.
Anita Thompson, wife of the late drug advocate and open imbiber Hunter S. Thompson, called the way the raids were conducted "Gestapo tactics."
Aspen lawyer Gerald Goldstein echoed the opinions expressed by many when he told the council that he had concerns about officers walking into public places with guns drawn. "I think it was a dangerous situation," he said.
Aspen has had a drug enforcement policy on the books since 1993 that instructs local law officers not to conduct undercover police work but to cooperate with outside agencies investigating illicit drug sales.
At the end of Tuesday night's five-hour meeting, the council directed the city manager and police chief to reaffirm the city's policy.
Ryerson said his department has followed that policy and has squashed some drug dealing simply by informing users or dealers that their activities were known and that they would face arrest if they didn't stop.
He said that had been done in this case, but the dealers and users did not stop. He said that it became more flagrant and that patrons coming into the two restaurants were being approached and offered drugs for sale.
City Councilman Torre, who goes by one name, said the approach Aspen takes won't be an easy decision because of the level of divisiveness over the issue.
"When I look out over your faces, it shows how deeply this cuts into the community both ways," Torre said.
I wonder how the police chief notified the drug traffickers that he was aware of their activities. Was it like this?
Dear Mr. Drug Trafficker:
I am aware that you are trafficking in drugs in my community, and even though I am sworn to uphold the law, and in having knowledge of your crimes and doing nothing about it I too am breaking the law, but if you will please stop doing what you are doing, I will leave you alone. Please...pretty please.
Thank God we have the DEA.
Thanks,
Aspen City Council
You are certifiably insane.
That would never happen around here.
"Anita Thompson, wife of the late drug advocate and open imbiber Hunter S. Thompson, called the way the raids were conducted "Gestapo tactics."
Carolyn
Try this: "Aspen Dissects Drug Raids, War Of Words Embroils Town"
Well, at least the $5,000 they confiscated ought to cover bus fare for those involved.
That is hyperbolic - it's not "Gestapo Tactics" unless the officers involved are targeting Jews.
Otherwise, it's just normal paramilitary action against civilians, and what rights do non-government people really possess, anyways?
"Yawn", indeed.
Now you've done it.
A most unfortunate choice of phrases...
I wonder what the overall response to the article would be then.
Ohhh, substitute 'Border Patrol' for 'DEA' and you would get close for the hardcore libertarian responses.
LOL! Take it one step further. Once the thread really gets rocking reveal the drug bust side of the story. I wonder if some heads would explode.
Carolyn
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