Cops only shoot when they must

Manhattan: In the past month, there have been three policeinvolved shootings. Police officers were forced to shoot a knife-wielding man in a Harlem Whole Foods as he charged at them with a knife, a woman on Staten Island with a gun pointed at them and an irrational man terrorizing men, women and children with what appeared to be a gun. In all three incidents these officers, without hesitation, put their lives in imminent peril to protect innocent people from harm.

I use the term “forced to shoot” because no officer wants to shoot another human being. The men and women of the New York City Police Department run toward danger. Police officers patrol communities where they don’t reside but still have a vested interest in protecting the people of that community.

Even at the risk of sacrificing their own lives. The most recent policeinvolved shooting exemplifies this. Responding officers assigned to the 71st Precinct didn’t know if the person waving what looked like a gun was a butcher, doctor or a teacher. They didn’t know if they would be injured or killed.

But, shelving their own personal safety, they did the jobs they were trained to do. When police officers are involved in a shooting, the media, politicians and self-promoting community “activists” immediately try to find fault in their actions, question their motives and demonize them. Instead, they should examine the actions of the person who instigated the tragic incident and threatened public safety.

Louis Turco, president, Lieutenants Benevolent Association

Heroes in blue

Scarsdale, N.Y.: Outstanding job by the officers of Midtown North (“Finest to rescue,” April 22). Your training and instincts kicked in immediately, and, as a team, you saved a man’s life. You are heroes not only today but every day! To every man and woman in law enforcement, I thank you for putting on the badge and having our backs every day! G-d bless you all!

Brian Lebenson

Strong coffee

Brooklyn: Leonard Greene’s latest hate piece — “Wake up, and smell the coffee” (April 20) — is extremely racist and despicable. Perhaps the Daily News can have Greene do a feature on the Starbucks racial bias workshops slated for May 29 as a writer, but more importantly, as a willing participant. Rick Lundberg

Grounds for racism

Bronx: To Voicer Brad Morris, you’re obviously not a black male. These two black men were not harming anyone. Even if they just stepped in to get warm, there would be no harm in that. After centuries we are still experiencing injustices at every turn. I’m sure if you or any other white person had went into a Starbucks and just hung around, the employees would have probably said, “Sir, can I help you? Take your time, Sir, here is the bathroom key.” But a black man has to be watched as though he is going to lift someone’s wallet or grab a pocketbook. The manager is not a victim, the two black men are. Your letter tells me where your mindset is, like so many others. Firing the manager was the right thing to do, as it sends a powerful message. Just because my skin is dark, I’m still a person. Your letter says a lot about who you are. Walk a mile in my shoes before making statements like the one you made. Eric Alexander

Coffeeing while black

Bronx: To Voicer Brad Morris: You either know all black people or you do not know any black people. There are many establishments that would let you use their rest room without purchasing anything (including Starbucks). Some will even give you the code or key to the rest room. It’s not what you say, but how you say it. All “managing while white” had to say was, “I’m sorry, but our restrooms are for customers only. Would you like to purchase something?” Dorothy Shepherd

Hope you’re alive to read this

Manhattan: Don’t believe the hype, people. April 23 came and went and the world did not end as predicted. We are still here, at least I am still here. I hope you didn’t quit your job or sell your personal belongings. That would be so sad for you. For those who did, hang in there. Gladys Zenon

Specialized test prep

Bronx: If, as Voicer Dennis Walker says, a lot of black and Hispanic families are in disarray and dysfunction because they have no conventional moral standards in the home, then it is up to the schools to impose those standards. State Sen. Jamaal Bailey’s proposals for a pretest mirroring the specialized high school exam the year before, and providing for tutoring for the exam, seem to me to be a step in the right direction, and far from a quota. Not every child in a dysfunctional home need be left behind. Jorge Sierra

Rudy’s and Don’s failures

Brooklyn: After the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993, Rudy Giuliani in his infinite wisdom decided to put the command center for the NYPD and FDNY in the very complex that had just been attacked. That meant that on 9/11, the unsynchronized radios of the two departments could not communicate with each other. Somehow, Rudy was hailed as “America’s Mayor.” Many in New York do not see him that way. Nor do we see Donald Trump as a great business success. To real New Yorkers, Trump is the flimflam man that the rest of America is now coming to its senses about.

Ed Temple

First among First Ladies

Somerset, N.J.: Eleanor Roosevelt was married to Franklin and was the niece of Theodore, so she was related to two U.S. Presidents. Abigail Adams, who was the wife of John and the mother of John Quincy, was also related to two U.S. Presidents. However, Barbara Bush, whose maiden name was Pierce, was the wife of George H.W. and the mother of George W. and was also a distant cousin of Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, so she was the only First Lady related to three U.S. Presidents.

Arthur Bressler

Lying about Chuck

Norwalk, Conn.: To Voicer JoLinda Celentano: After seeing your letter, I went to Sen. Chuck Schumer’s website to send an email, to see what you saw. What I saw is that all they ask for is your name, address, email and why you’re contacting them. They absolutely do not ask for a Social Security number, and the form is a half page. Why would you make up such an easily disproved lie? Or shorter, why did you lie?

Stefanie Pont

Flip one

Manhattan: President Trump states Michael Cohen will not “flip” on him. When you break it down, isn’t that statement an admission of guilt?

Michael Wishner

Flip two

Woodland Park, N.J.: Donald Trump is flipping out over the idea that his lawyer might “flip” and turn over details of Trump’s personal and political business. Why should this bother Trump? Unless he is hiding something.

John Dent

Clean all of Dem up

Flushing: I was blown away when I saw the Democratic National Committee is suing to hold several entities to account for behavior that was most inappropriate, even illegal. Go Democratic Party! However, I hope the party also reviews some of its own, sometimes even illegal, behavior. We need open elections. We don’t need the people to vote for the party, but instead for the representatives. Change is good. I hope Democrats will review their autocratic behavior and being beholden to corporate contributors. I think constituents should be the focus of any party, not the bosses. Josephine Tsatsakos

All in the words

Holbrook, L.I.: My guns are not illegal, they’re just undocumented. James B. Johnsen

Killing the King

BRUCE COTLER Highland, N.Y.: To the greedy bastards forcing B.B. King’s to close, may you die broke and miserable. John Kilroe Bronx: Matt Harvey is a big baby. What he should be saying is, “I’ll do anything to help my team.” Harvey is going to stink even working out of the bullpen. I am going to say Harvey is not going to be a Met next year. Poor baby.

Ralph Canzone

The News’ Great Yankee date

Brooklyn: Thank you, Daily News, for the Yankees tickets! The seats were great. Snuggled under a blanket with my hubby on a chilly spring evening, watching a Yankees game, made a lovely date night. Thanks again!

Regina West