Seeking justice for Arbery
Re: “Law enforcement ties, long delay complicate Arbery case,” May 18 news story
On Feb. 23, Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed while jogging. It wasn’t until two months later, when a video of the shooting surfaced, that murder charges were brought. The original district attorney had deemed that there were no grounds for arrest, which the video clearly disputed. Did he cover it up?
The office of district attorney is an elected position in Colorado. There will be 22 DA elections in Colorado in 2020. Each DA is the chief law enforcement of a judicial district. Do you know your JD? Who is your DA? Are they up for re-election? Are there new candidates? Do you know who they are?
This is a call to action to find out. For each candidate, find out where they stand on criminal justice, recidivism reduction, diversion programs, mass incarceration, rate of incarceration and prosecution of people of color. How they will work with the community and police department? And what is the history of your DA’s office on these issues?
We need informed and conscientious voters this fall to elect district attorneys who will stand up for true justice and doing the right thing.
Lynne Popkowski, Littleton
I sure hope I won’t see a headline telling me that the killers of Ahmaud Arbery won’t be charged in his death. As a white man, I don’t feel unsafe on the streets or in my car because the white men who are looking for someone to kill aren’t looking for me. Those men should be in jail and those who invade public spaces with weapons should be disarmed and taught the moral rules of life.
John Shippey, Denver
When the sheriff plays judge
Re: “Local mask mandates draw anger,” May 8 news story
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith stated that his department will not enforce the Larimer County health order to wear masks in businesses, adding this order to the growing number of laws that his department will not enforce.
He put on his judicial hat (who knew?) to determine that the order was bad juju and should not be enforced. Since instructions must be given to the department, there must be a complete list of the laws and orders that the Larimer County Sheriff’s department will not enforce. As a public service, I request that this list be published so that the residents and visitors of Larimer County will be knowledgeable and can act accordingly. One wouldn’t want to assume that a particular law or order was not being enforced only to find out that it is one of those that Sheriff Smith will enforce.
Shawn Thompson, Denver
Who Trump’s EPA won’t protect
Re: “EPA opts against limits on water contaminant,” May 15 news story
Of the many protective environmental regulations the Trump administration is revoking or rolling back, the latest move to lift the ban on the toxic chemical compound, perchlorate, which has been linked to fetal and infant brain damage, is perhaps the most egregious. And think of the hypocrisy!
Here is an administration that will deny the right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy. Yet, for the thousands of women who want to carry their pregnancies to term and bear children, it could deny them the right to raise healthy ones. Whatap wrong with this picture?
Dottie Lamm, Denver
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
