Police presence at Juneteenth
At Tacoma’s Juneteenth celebration at Stewart Heights Park, attendees were treated to an array of vendors, performers, games and play attractions for children ... and, to my horror, a fully militarized police presence, including an armored vehicle and officers in tactical gear.
At best, TPD’s decision to park a tank in the middle of the Juneteenth festivities was extremely tone-deaf. Is it possible that leadership at TPD is that ignorant of the history of over-militarization of law enforcement as it pertains to policing Black people?
Could they truly be that ignorant of the trauma and fear caused by police killings of Black men?
It seems like a stretch.
It’s well known that Black people are far more likely than white people to be killed by police, and studies have shown that police militarization is correlated with racial prejudice.
At worst, one could surmise that the armored vehicle and kitted-out officers were a deliberate attempt to intimidate and desensitize.
Throughout the day, children played in and around the tank under the supervision of armed TPD officers in what appeared to be bullet-proof vests, as though it was perfectly normal for an army to stand prepared for war at a celebration of Black freedom.
This is unacceptable.
TPD must do better.
Julie Summers, Tacoma
Editor’s note: Tacoma Police Department spokesperson Shelbie Boyd confirmed the agency had an armored vehicle on site at the June 19 event at Stewart Heights Park and police officers outfitted in gear identifying them as members of the SWAT team, part of what Boyd described as a TPD “recruiting booth.”
“The vehicle was open for children (and adults if they liked) to sit in and take pictures,” Boyd told The News Tribune via email.
Navy vet sounds off
During 20 years as an active-duty nurse in the U.S. Navy, I was proud to care for those men, women and their families who stood up in service to our country. When I think of their work and sacrifice in protecting the freedoms we all take for granted, I am particularly terrified by the ramifications of another Donald Trump presidency.
Trump does not deserve the honor of becoming commander-in-chief. He would have the authority to send our troops into harm’s way yet he calls those who have been wounded, captured and killed “losers” and “suckers.”
Trump swore to uphold the Constitution yet instigated an insurrection to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
He promises to be a dictator on the first day of a new presidency, the very thing thousands have died to prevent.
His service is only to himself.
This election is an existential moment for our country. Each one of us, whether in the military or not, has a responsibility to do the work of democracy.
We must think critically, learn the facts and then we must vote for leaders who will uphold their oaths to support and defend the Constitution.
Carol Haskins, Poulsbo
Cruver vs. Pride
To Amy Cruver, the Pierce County Council member who won’t sit in council chambers because she is “too distracted” by the Pride flag to conduct county business:
The problem isn’t the flag, madame.
It is your thinking.
To make an analogy you might understand, let’s suppose that a council member is offended and distracted by the American flag flying over the council chambers.
Then, suppose they offered the following excuse:
“The Stars and Stripes are too distracting to conduct the business — for which I am paid — because I can’t stop thinking about all those right-wing conservatives and extremist Republicans who use that symbol to justify their misogynistic, racist, hateful words and deeds. That flag has to come down; it is interfering with my government job because all I can think about is those people.”
The problem is not the flag. In both examples, the problem would be the elected official’s thinking about the flag — just as it is yours in regards to the Pride displayed in council chambers.
Besides, who do you think you are — sitting around thinking about who people should or should not love and if they deserve to have equal rights — when you are paid to conduct county business?
Deborah Morton, Tacoma
Fireworks scofflaws
Residents in University Place and the west slope of Tacoma were treated to miscreants setting off illegal fireworks at 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 6.
Despite warnings on the City of Tacoma’s website that doing so may result in a hefty fine and increases the risk of fires and injury, reporting is now directed to an online system which is very cumbersome to use, especially at 5 a.m.
Back in the 1980s, the “broken windows” theory of law enforcement held that ignoring small crimes emboldened lawbreakers to up their game. Taking a tough stance on minor infractions and blight was used to decrease crime in many American cities.
There seems to be plenty of evidence of “broken windows” being ignored all around us these days.
We shouldn’t be surprised if ignoring local fireworks laws today becomes vandalism, car thefts, burglary or worse tomorrow.
James Stangl, University Place
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