Video clearly shows police officer using overabundance of force: Letters
Jan. 14 -- To the Editor:
After watching the video released earlier this week of a York Police officer, Jonathan Rogers, who stopped Dr. Stephen Brennan for allegedly flashing his high beams, I felt a duty to respond as a parent and educator who resides in the town of York.
I recognize the danger our police officers face daily and we’re fortunate to have so many professional and caring officers protecting our community. However, what I saw in this video footage was gut wrenching. It clearly shows officer Rogers using an overabundance of force, after Dr. Brennen was on his knees with his hands up, surrendering. A man who made the mistake of leaving his vehicle during a traffic stop does not justify the abuse he suffered from a police K-9. It’s clear to me that Rogers was only protecting his ego by using this level of force and power, rather than protecting our town.
More: York police release video of K-9 taking down pediatrician, 63, during traffic stop
What concerns me most about this situation is the fact that this very well could have been a teenager. If officer Rogers is willing to use this kind of force on a 63-year-old man, what would he do to a teenager who makes a similar mistake in the heat of the moment? I am a teacher in another community and I have two young children of my own. I fear what would happen if an inexperienced driver made the slightest mistake in the presence of officer Rogers.
I have the utmost respect for the police and I know children look up to police officers as people who will help and protect them. We’re fortunate to have an otherwise stellar police force in York to protect our community, but officer Rogers' actions, lack of reflection and lack of remorse suggest to me that he’s not a protector of our community’s safety, but a threat to it.
Stephanie Cleary
York, Maine
Let's do a better job with Portsmouth Christmas lights in 2022
Jan. 11 -- To the Editor:
I love this city, and there are a lot of Christmas events going on over the holiday, but the downtown is very lacking. The City Council should put money aside for 2022 to improve this issue. Articles will be written in magazines telling people one of the best-decorated cities in New England Is Portsmouth, N.H. Looking forward to a lovely change in Portsmouth for the coming year holidays.
Marcia Jones
Portsmouth
New Hampshire Legislature needs to offer interactive remote access
Jan. 12 -- To the Editor:
Once again, winter months are contributing to the exponential spread of COVID infections, summoning an official health alert. Despite COVID’s threats, vaccine and mask requirements via the executive branch are as likely in NH as snow at Mar-a-Lago. However, Republican leadership has acknowledged the risks to health by conducting business in spacious venues, the house meeting in Manchester, the senate in Concord. Despite improved accommodations, too many legislators refuse to wear masks, adding to the substantial risks imposed upon in-person public participants in governance, 2022.
More: A new venue for NH House. Fight over remote participation remains the same
Business to be considered this session runs the gamut: NH seceding from the “United” States of America; targeting for recall any state court judge, or any local elected official who serves a 3-year term; the intentional rigging of elections by gerrymandering political districts; taxpayer dollars to conduct an Arizona-style “audit” of the 2020 election; diversion of funding from public schools, sure to raise property taxes; repealing NH’s paid family leave plan, and more.
More: NH redistricting: Listening sessions did little to influence House-approved maps
The one-way You Tube channel the legislature currently offers is inadequate. Democracy is a bottom-up, not top-down process. It is incumbent upon leaders of the Republican party to make available the use of the technology successfully implemented for more than a year – remote, interactive video access, which allows for direct, public participation in real time, with legislators sensitive to the presence, albeit virtual, of those who speak and engage in the political process. The technology exists. Democracy demands it be made available again.
Bob Perry
Strafford
Herald publishing 'obvious misinformation' from Republicans
Jan. 14 -- To the Editor:
There have been numerous LTEs in the past few weeks rebutting Alan Forbes' op-ed for his unsupported claims about the last election. In her January 14 letter Sue Polidura comes to his defense with one of the most cynical and untrue statements I have ever seen published in this paper. She claims that “nearly all of the challenges brought to the courts were dismissed, not due to lack of evidence but rather a lack of judicial courage thus avoiding an issue they wanted no part of ...” If there was evidence of fraud, it was never presented to any of the sixty courts that considered, and dismissed, these challenges. But that is not my point here.
More: I'm pro police, but out-of-control York officer and K-9 crossed the line during arrest: Letters
I respect everyone’s constitutional right to voice an opinion, but I question whether that right extends to blatant falsehoods being published in the newspaper. I am disappointed in the Herald for continuing to publish obvious misinformation.
Allen Norelli
Portsmouth
Proud of Portsmouth City Council for recently enacted mask directive
Jan. 14 -- To the Editor:
I was proud of our Portsmouth community during the Jan. 13 City Council meeting on the recently enacted mask directive. People had differing points of view, but all were expressed respectfully. My perspective: I understand that some believe the choice to wear a mask or not is a personal one; they may feel the risk is low to themselves and their families. The insidious thing about Covid, especially the new omicron strain, is how contagious it is, how easily people who may not even know they are infected can spread it to others. We are all in this together. Many people are getting very sick and our hospitals are overwhelmed. That impacts anyone who needs medical care for any reason. Masks are not a magic cure, but they do reduce the ability of the disease to spread throughout our community. Let’s do whatever we can to take care of each other.
Laura Currier Carty
Portsmouth
'Deranged claims' regarding 2020 elections need to be answered
Jan. 14 -- To the Editor:
Sue Polidura’s letter in support of Portsmouth Republican Party Chairman Alan Forbes’ deranged claims about the 2020 election demands question. Sue states the “fact ... that nearly all of the challenges brought by to the courts were dismissed ... due to ... a lack of judicial courage...”. Sue, please immediately provide evidence of this “fact,” or just (be quiet). This is the problem with this kind nonsense from Forbes’ letter and Sue’s—they’re filled with unsubstantiated statements that spread confusion among voters. They’re counting on that: because in the end these far-right (activists) just foam at the mouth with wild conjecture and drivel. And yes Sue, it makes “people distrust the outcome of the election…” But that doesn't make it right.
John De Leeuw
New Castle
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Video clearly shows police officer using overabundance of force: Letters
