Vote out GOP, vote in common sense An example of need for police reform
I am voting for Joe Biden. He is a good, decent man of faith with a lengthy record of service to country. During his eight years as vice-president, our country went from recession to a strong, recovered economy. Osama Bin Laden was eliminated. There were no scandals or turmoil. Cabinet positions were filled by competent people. We moved toward more green energy solutions, mitigating the effects of climate change.
As the MAGA flags fly I think: “Has America ever been LESS great?” Our world standing is diminished, alliances with other democracies broken, replaced by adoration for brutal dictators. Russia meddles in our elections, places bounties on the heads of US soldiers, with no acknowledgement or action by the US President. He lies to us about the coronavirus and fails to provide a federal response, resulting in thousands dead, an economy in tatters, and no end in sight. The gap between wealthy and working class grows, as does homelessness. Environmental safeguards are repealed in favor of further fossil fuel development. Climate change is denied, despite overwhelming scientific evidence. Our nation is in crisis and the president uses his words to incite fear and stoke the fires of division.
Vote Trump out, along with his enablers. Our current representative, Doug LaMalfa, has enriched himself while giving total support to Trump. He denies climate change while his district burns. We will be much better served by electing Audrey Denney. She will work to represent all, not just special interests.
— Anne Michels, Oroville
Police Reform is in the air. Polls show that the majority of citizens support reform. That is why it is so disturbing that Chief Madden plans to form a Violence Suppression Unit (Chico E-R, (9/19/2020) assigning officers no longer needed to respond to CSU Chico students now mostly gone.
The very title raises the specter of stop and frisk, ethnic/racial profiling and police aggression which is quite different from what the community needs and model of community policing that the chief says he supports. Would not the money spent on a VSU be better spent on an increased presence of Behavioral Health personnel, crisis and case managers and shelter/ housing for our less fortunate citizens?
Yes, there has been an increase in violent crime in Chico, but less than one might expect given the serial trauma of the Oroville dam spillway disaster, the horrible Camp Fire, the viral pandemic and now the North Complex Fire with heat and smoke. I urge the Chico City Council to consider allocating more money for social services rather than increased police enforcement as a crime prevention solution. Experience shows that this is cheaper, more effective, and restores community trust.
— Julian Zener, Chico