Suddenly the Haines Police Department has abandoned its claim to urge for a compassionate paradigm shift. At the April 12 meeting of the Public Safety Commission, the chief and two officers lobbied for obtaining a police dog to aid in drug use/abuse detection and prosecution—an estimated $40,000 (and more) hit on the borough budget. Just a few months ago the police chief said focus was to emphasize referral and treatment options over arrest and prosecution—and when that occurred there were no concurring, lobbying police officers present and no estimated additional budget increases. Perhaps the Haines community will want to ask if compassionate paradigm shift talk is really a ruse to cover up a return to failed drug war practices?

Bill McCord