Highlights, lowlights from the week's news
HIT >> It isn't often we get to use the phrase “foam projectile” in a headline, but we were happy to do so this week.
On Wednesday, we reported that Chico Police officers had used foam projectiles during an arrest of a woman suspected of wielding a knife and approaching cars and homes at the 200 block of West 17th Street. According to a news release, officers used a “less lethal” foam projectile to safely subdue 37-year-old Alexis Olmstead. She was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, vandalism and resisting arrest.
Here's why we were happy to see it: It's following what seems to be an uptick in the number of dangerous situations local officers have successfully resolved without resorting to “more lethal” forms.
There have been some incidents lately where officers (and sheriff's deputies) did use firearms, including an incident near Skyway last week where deputies shot a man who had opened fire on them. Even in cases like that, the incidents have been resolved with the suspects still alive. (The Skyway suspect was shot in the leg and, after treatment, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on a peace officer, being an ex-felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, shooting at an occupied vehicle and assault with a firearm on a peace officer.)
The split-second, life-altering decisions officers must make in these moments of confrontation are incredibly stressful and beyond the imagination of most citizens, especially those of the Monday Morning Quarterback variety. In an overwhelming majority of the cases, the use of deadly police force has been found to be justified.
But, with all local police carrying “less lethal” options in their vehicles at all times, it's impressive that police are so often going that route. It's the result of good training and good police work. Just as officers here and nationally have been criticized for unnecessary force, they should also be commended for the times they do it right under the most unimaginable of difficult circumstances.
MISS >> The world's longest running game of “whack-a-mole” continues. Homeless people who refuse to move into an available shelter space (or have been evicted in the past for behavior reasons, or don't qualify) continue to move back into areas where evictions have already taken place. Just this week we've noticed people camping in the area behind Lowe's again, as well as along the sidewalk near Tractor Supply, an area that has been cleared out so many times we've lost track.
While we've spoken in favor of giving the North State Shelter team a shot at managing a campground — would it really be any worse than the situation we're living with now, for all concerned? — the ongoing legal wrangling brought on by the Warren-Chico lawsuit settlement has gotten ridiculous. It's to the point where people are moving a few spaces down the sidewalk and claiming “I may have been evicted from over there, but I haven't been evicted from this particular square yet.”
Maybe “whack-a-mole” is no longer accurate. It's more like a game of hopscotch.
HIT >> Meanwhile, we can't help but feel happy — and proud — about the unprecedented number of infrastructure projects taking place.
Most notable is the Bruce Road Reconstruction Project, which the city says is the largest infrastructure project in its history. After being on the books since the 1990s, it's finally broken ground.
The project includes a new two-lane bridge, replacing the old one over Little Chico Creek, changing the two-lane road into a four-lane thoroughfare, expanding sidewalks and adding new bike lanes.
There's also a new bridge going up in the Ord Ferry area and some tremendous signs of progress in the Honey Run Covered Bridge rebuild. As we reported this week, pylons are in place, and a newly built bridge is expected to be put into place in June.
There are good things going on in every direction you look. None of these projects were easy — like any worthwhile undertaking, there are always objections and delays and often lawsuits.
Today, though, these projects — and many others like them — sure do feel like positive progress.
MISS >> On the flip side of “progress,” the economic situation just keeps looking worse in so many ways. Inflation is bad enough, but we feel especially awful for any young people who might hold dreams of buying a house someday.
Not only is the number of homes in ever-dwindling supply all over our state, who could afford to buy one — especially with mortgage rates climbing to 7.52% this week?
We are encouraged, though, by a large number of apartment projects that'll be coming to fruition soon. That's a good thing. For more reasons than we can list here, we're going to need them.