I wrote earlier about what passes for a riot squad in a small town, including the police chief and the mayor, responding to a tip regarding underage drinking: a 19-year-old Marine and his wife at his parents’ house on the eve of the kid’s return to the front in Iraq.

Now the parents have sued the police chief and the mayor for violation of their civil rights and ongoing emotional distress. Good for them! Among other things, they cite:

Wade and Kraska “entered and invaded (the Dorsons’) home and private premises unlawfully and without permission or lawful excuse” and with no “reasonable, legal, lawful or adequate grounds” to do so.

It’s bad enough that the Bush administration is doing this sort of thing at home and abroad. Our boro and township governments must do better: respect our civil rights and support our troops.