A 19-year-old Ship Bottom resident was arrested and charged with marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession after he was stopped Friday at the checkpoint to get onto Long Beach Island.
On Friday, November 9, Thomas Walters was arrested and charged at the Route 72 and Marsha checkpoint after Detective Jason Costello, of the Stafford Police Department and Patrolman Tim Butler, of the Harvey Cedars Police Department, detected the odor of marijuana "emanating from inside Walters' vehicle." Police had been conducting a routine identification check so Walters could reenter the island following Hurricane Sandy.
Walters was transported to Stafford Police Department where he was processed and later released pending a future court appearance in Stafford Twp municipal court.
Most of us know that individuals who use illegal drugs are going to get high—no matter what, so why do you not prefer they acquire them in stores that check IDs and pay taxes? Gifting the market in narcotics to ruthless criminals, foreign terrorists, and corrupt law enforcement officials is seriously compromising our future. Why do you wish to continue with a policy that has proven itself to be a poison in the veins of our once so "proud & free" nation? Even if you cannot bear the thought of people using drugs, there is absolutely nothing you, or any government, can do to stop them. We have spent 40 years and trillions of dollars on this dangerous farce; Prohibition will not suddenly and miraculously start showing different results. Do you actually believe you may personally have something to lose If we were to begin basing our drug policy on science & logic instead of ignorance, hate and lies? Maybe you're a police officer, a prison guard, or a local/national politician. Possibly you're scared of losing employment, overtime pay, the many kickbacks, and those regular fat bribes. But what good will any of that do you once our society has followed Mexico over the dystopian abyss of dismembered bodies, vats of acid, and marauding thugs carrying gold-plated AK-47s with leopard-skinned gunstocks? Kindly allow us to forgo the next level of your sycophantic prohibition-engendered mayhem.
Hats off to all the police who kept us safe during this catastrophic event..!!