South Carolina is safer now

[hoterdoc]

here is a link to the article which has also been posted below,
no need to lock the front door or set the alarm tonight, i'll still sleep safe and soundly now.

while gambling (to include poker) IS illegal in south carolina, there have GOT to be better uses for my tax dollars and the law enforcement's energy than this. Why were only TWO of the meth labs busted? safer to take down overweight middle aged men drinking beer and playing cards!

Folks were reportedly thrown to the ground and cuffed while search and citations were taking place. Cops reportedly came in with weapons drawn.

Not all laws deserve to be upheld to the same degree. How many cops lawyers and judges speed for example. Victimless crimes like neighborhood poker just do not rate in my book.

Link: click here

article:
Police poker bust reveals a full house
13 charged after raid on clubhouse at Greer subdivision

Posted Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 6:00 am


By Patricia Newman
STAFF WRITER
pnewman@greenvillenews.com
After placing the operation under surveillance and obtaining a search warrant, seven Greer police officers and an agent from the State Law Enforcement Division swooped in.

Their target: the Brushy Meadows subdivision clubhouse, according to police reports.

Charged, according to the incident report, were 13 players who police said had chipped in $100 plus $10 for refreshments to play poker.

Authorities hauled off chips, cards, money and a computer they said was used to track players' statistics, according to the incident report.

With a population of approximately 20,000, Greer had one homicide, six armed robberies, two meth lab busts and 60 burglaries in 2004, according to state crime statistics.

But authorities said state law is clear when it comes to gambling where money's on the table.

"There are no shades of gray in the gambling laws for South Carolina," said Mark Plowden, spokesman for Attorney General Henry McMaster. "Gambling is illegal in any form or method within state lines."

Lt. Chris Varner of the Greer police said the men were issued citations that carry a fine of $1,112.50 if convicted.

He said SLED notified Greer police that an informant had provided the tip.

"It's alleged criminal activity," said Kathryn Richardson with SLED. "We were requested to provide assistance and we did that."

None of the men charged was available for comment Friday.