Some possibilities for a change in policing
What does “Defund the Police” really mean?
As a community, we need to identify specific criteria for when an armed response is required and develop alternative community resources to work with police for other situations, as firefighters and paramedics do.
We don’t expect cops to fight fires or set up an IV; it’s a different skill set.
I think cops would be happy to have domestic disputes, suicides and mental health issues, for example, put into the hands of folks specially trained for that.
• Demilitarize the police through philosophy, culture, equipment, and tactical training. By philosophy, I mean training cops that the mission in police work is not taking down the enemy, it’s protecting the public.
It calls for different reflexes and a different kind of commitment. It’s a different job than being a soldier.
• Cease the practice of giving preference to military veterans in hiring police.
A SWAT team with a mission clearly defined in writing, that does NOT include community policing of political protest events, could be an exception.
The body armor, assault rifle, and riot helmet are clearly designed to intimidate.
Using police to deter political protest is not acceptable in the United States. Police intimidation can escalate tensions in peaceful protests.
• End the harassment and intimidation of journalists.
• Raise police salaries and decrease police numbers. Hire the best, and expect professional behavior. Get rid of the Rambos and the cowboys. Hire police that DON’T fit our cultural expectations of cops from TV and movies.
Peter Gibbs, Estes Park
Proud of clean efforts on the Eastern Plains
Re: “Report: Area set for more renewable energy,” July 30 news story
I read with great joy the reporting of Judith Kohler regarding Colorado’s Eastern Plains’ success in establishing wind energy production and plans to harvest additional clean energy from the wind and the sun soon.
It makes me proud that our rural citizens are such wise stewards of both their own land and the whole earth. This new and constructive source of income benefits not only individual landowners and their families; it maintains precious heritage, increases independence, stabilizes the local community, and provides meaningful work for others. The ability to define and adapt to the needs of this rapidly evolving world is our strength, the free market our tool.
Where we will already need to adjust to a warming, drying, flooding, more chaotic and extreme event- laden climate, it is by far more productive to take steps to avert that change. This path we need to take could and should be facilitated by applying the appropriate price on carbon excreted by combusting ancient coal oil, and gas.
Taxpayers, expectant mothers, businesses, farmers, ranchers; we all pay for the unwelcome consequences of toxins and warming with strains on our health, water supply and productivity.
If the proceeds, a “carbon dividend,” are equitably distributed, the free market will be fueled and individuals empowered allowing unbiased competition for consumers’ energy purchase choices, predictability for business, utility, and civic planning, and support for the less advantaged.
Together we can navigate toward a better future for Colorado, our majestic and inspirational state, and beyond.
Lois McLauchlan, Sedalia
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