On the lookout for auto break-ins
Regarding “Change in tactics to fight break-ins” (Sept. 1): Unfortunately, the average auto burglar works side streets, alleyways, darkened areas, little-used back streets and large parking lots. They also work very late at night. And the officers assigned to beats will walk heavily congested main streets for visibility.
Occasionally, an officer will stray off his/her beat. Hours of operation are not consistent with crime (late at night). So burglars are covert and sneaking around while San Francisco Police Department is assigned in uniform for visibility. Go back 25 years and Central Police Station had an auto boosting detail in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. They would surveil, follow, be patient, in plain clothes, target highcrime areas and make arrests. Old school but very effective. Tom Del Torre, Lincoln (Placer
County)
Criminal acts
Regarding “Berkeley event not really about free speech” (Sept. 1): I absolutely concur with Otis R. Taylor Jr. What is taking place at academic campuses and political rallies currently is a complete perversion of free speech for the purpose of intentional incitement to violence where people may be injured or even killed. This is not free speech. These are criminal acts designed to call attention to persons seeking fame with no regard for the safety and property rights of others.
They will not be events that are “healthy, productive but most importantly safe for everybody to engage in political communication,” as Bryce Kasamoto says. This is not their purpose, and sponsors know that. They should not be allowed.
Margaret Stortz, El Cerrito
Bank watchdog
Wells Fargo is the poster child for why Congress must reject Wall Street’s calls to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Not only did Wells Fargo employees fraudulently open 3.5 million accounts, the company was recently fined for charging illegal fees to veterans to refinance their mortgages, and wrongfully sold 800,000 customers car insurance they didn’t need.
Unfortunately, the House of Representatives recently voted to curtail the CFPB‘s ability to write rules and enforce consumer protection laws. We’re counting on Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein to lead the charge to protect the CFPB in the Senate. Californians need a watchdog who can hold financial firms like Wells Fargo accountable when they rip off their customers.
Emily Rusch, Oakland
Destructive style
I’m flabbergasted to read “Trump’s erratic style offers foes an easy target” (Sept. 1). After over seven months of the Trump presidency, columnist Andrew Malcolm falsely states that “optimism seems afloat” simply because of low unemployment (something Trump inherited from former President Barack Obama) and a surging stock market. In fact, Trump has managed only one singular achievement at this point in his presidency, namely the highest negative ratings for someone in office for such a short time. His style isn’t “erratic,” it is dangerous and destructive.
The 45th president took a wrecking ball to our hopes of limiting global warming by removing our country from the Paris climate accords. He smashed the rights of transgender individuals to honorably serve in our nation’s military.
He has eviscerated the integrity of journalists and our free press with his constant false claims that they produce “fake news.” If you’re keeping score of this presidency, Malcolm, where 0 is the least and 100 is the most, Trump’s ego gets 100 and America’s freedoms and dignity get a 0.
Arthur Rubenstein, San Francisco
Early Halloween
Concerning “Pumpkin goeth before the fall” (Daily Briefing, Sept. 1): The early arrival of pumpkin-flavored products such as coffee and doughnuts should not be surprising. After all, Halloween — with all of its zombies, witches and goblins — began (in the minds of many citizens) back on Jan. 20 this year, when the current administration moved into the White House.
Divya Gupta, San Francisco
Kap made his point
Regarding “Kap should stand” (Letters, Sept. 1): The letter about Colin Kaepernick’s “anthem protest” last season was misguided on many fronts, but consider just these four. First, Kaepernick is a true patriot, not a blind one. Justice for all is what America is all about. Second, Kaepernick was kneeling out of respect for our constitutional rights, not against the flag, the police, the anthem or the military.
Third, the letter writer’s father died to protect those rights, not the flag, which is only a symbol of those rights. Fourth, Kaepernick is no longer kneeling. He made his point and has moved on to donating his time and money to address issues of justice and equality. What have his critics done besides standing with the masses and conflating football with “patriotism?”
Chris Ingram, San Francisco
Question timing
Regarding “Harris urges Dems to fight in Trump era” (Aug. 31): Concerning Sen. Kamala Harris’ proclamation that this is a “time that is challenging our country to look in a mirror and answer a question: Who are we?” and “that challenges us to fight.”
I have to wonder if she thought the same during former President Barack Obama’s two terms when Wall Street bankers were reaping billions while regular Americans were losing their homes, when U.S. drone strikes were assassinating our own citizens abroad and while our Environmental Protection Agency turned a blind eye to the poisoned waters of Flint, Mich.
I would like to ask the honorable senator and all her supporters when exactly is the time to wonder who we are and when is the time to fight? Is it when any wrong is being done in our name and by our government? Or just when our chosen political party does not occupy the White House?
Bernie Corace, San Francisco