This is in response to the editorial in the Saturday, Oct. 6 edition by Editor Charlie Smith (“Police make progress in drug battle”). I wrote a letter earlier (“Expertise required for mental commitments,” Sept. 20) expressing concern about Chief Michael Kelly’s statements about handling the mentally ill.
Chief Kelly is doing a good job trying to curtail the drug traffic on the streets and also the overhaul of the animal shelter and putting officers on school campuses. I never intended to put Chief Kelly down. I am very proud of what he has accomplished so far. The way the article I responded to (“Training, new officers for CPD,” Sept. 13) was worded was as if he was not going to follow proper protocol.
I am very concerned about the drug battle on the streets. I have experience with dealing with drug users as a former pharmacy employee for many years.
My nephew Major Brad McDermit is with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, whom I helped raise and taught him about users on the streets. I am also proud of our sheriff, Berkley Hall, a fine Christian man doing a fantastic job. I am so proud of my nephew working for Berkley to fight drugs on the streets of Columbia and Marion County.
Keep up the good work, CPD and MCSO.
Tony W. McDermit
Columbia
