Fort Worth police officers shouldn’t have to be softer or gentler. Just thank them | Opinion
Say thank you to police officers
The men and women of the Fort Worth Police Department must be allowed to do their jobs and enforce the law. It doesn’t take a criminologist to see that the city’s crime problem is becoming increasingly worse and widespread. The trend toward reallocating police resources away from strict enforcement and targeted policing has led us to where we are.
Someone had better realize that we don’t need a softer or gentler police force. We need to let officers address crime without worrying about being made political scapegoats or risking imprisonment for what many people would call split-second judgment calls.
The next time you cross paths with an officer, consider saying thank you for what they do.
- Ray Mattix, Fort Worth
Jail deaths are unacceptable
Yet another death reported in the Tarrant County Jail. (July 2, 4C, “How many jail deaths until Tarrant acts?”) We must put an end to these atrocities.
I ask every person involved in the justice system, from the sheriff to the guards, to consider how you would want to be treated should you develop mental illness, or how you would wish your loved ones with such afflictions to be treated.
The county must continue to collaborate with MHMR of Tarrant County to change policies so that vulnerable people are treated with decency, no matter why they are in jail.
- Charme Robarts, Fort Worth
Humane care of most in need
We need an independent outside investigation of the Tarrant County Jail. There is no excuse for the mortality rate to be 3.5 times that of the Dallas County Jail. Such an investigation would ensure objective evaluation of jail conditions and any needed improvements.
We especially need a new solution for nonviolent offenders with mental illness. They don’t need to be in jail — they need to be in treatment. All jail inmates should be assured of humane, timely, appropriate care, regardless of their offense. This is a basic human rights issue.
Thank you to the Star-Telegram for spotlighting the urgent need for an independent review.
- Anne Morton, Arlington
Air conditioning in prisons crucial
Although I was already aware of bad conditions in our state’s prisons from participating in our church’s involvement in prison ministry, I was disturbed after reading the July 9 editorial about the failure of state officials to provide air conditioning. (4C, “Texas failed to protect inmates, prison workers”) My experience of sitting in a sweltering gymnasium for three hours, along with inmates and guards, makes it hard to imagine tolerating those conditions 24/7.
Our state officials need to be held accountable for failing to act in a compassionate and timely manner. Prisoners are our fellow Texans, and the state can afford to spend what it takes to provide humane living conditions for these men and women.
- Emily Fairbanks, Arlington
Texas can lead on climate change
Cities such as Dallas and Fort Worth are no strangers to extreme weather, yet even Texas cities are feeling the immense strain of the blistering heat. (July 13, 1A, “Why Texas summer heat feels hotter than the temperature”)
No one feels this stress more than low-income laborers. Even with the awareness around heat safety, many people have died or become seriously ill because of the high temperatures.
The Star-Telegram has done a great job writing about this issue, but I would love to also see articles about climate change, the root cause of these frequent and deadly heat waves. Tackling an issue such as global warming can seem daunting for regular folks, but Texas is one of the states best positioned to take advantage of renewable energy.
People need to know the impact their voices can have in pushing their local, state and federal governments to pass legislation that addresses climate change once and for all.
- Joshua Lando, Dallas
Better education, better workers
Education has always been the answer.
The United States has provided its citizens 12 years of free education for at least 70 years. Why? One could secure a good-paying job and live a good life after graduating. High schools also had several options such as training for mechanics, welding, woodworking, music, cooking and many other skills that can help one secure a good job after high school.
Today, it takes a two-year associate degree to secure a well-paying occupation. About 75% of jobs today require at least a two-year degree. The associate degree should be free for everyone, including tuition and books. Texas and the nation would benefit.
- Richard G. Hatfield, Austin
