Where is accountability for these ICE shootings?
Re: “Trump: ICE stops should resume,” July 16 news story
In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court in Tennessee v. Garner recognized constitutional authority for the use of deadly force to prevent escape and provided a two-prong test to guide the exercise of that authority.
First, an officer must have probable cause to believe that the fleeing suspect is dangerous, and second, the use of deadly force must be necessary to effect the seizure. The Court concluded that in order for an officer under the Fourth Amendment to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect, the officer had to determine that the suspect had committed a felony and that if allowed to escape, presented an imminent danger to the public. As a police officer and later a police chief, this guidance was reinforced at initial academy training and subsequent annual training through bulletins provided by the FBI, DOJ, and local state authorities.
It was embedded in the consciousness of every law enforcement officer. Further, the court provided guidance that law enforcement could further restrict this guidance: “In other words, just because you may think you have the authority to use deadly force, you do not need to apply this authority.” There is a reasonableness factor as well. “Can the suspect be apprehended at a later date without endangering the public?”
Police departments have policies that constrain firing at moving vehicles given the ensuing risk involved.
I am shocked at the seemingly quick application to the use of deadly force by ICE and question the training that the officers receive, if at all.
Where is the accountability?
Philip Arreola, Denver
A plea to Dems: Socialism is going to be so much worse than Trump
The “Democratic Socialists” Democrat primary winners have said the only way to compensate for “racism” is with reparations (taxpayer money); police should be defunded and prisons emptied (“not necessary when all have enough money”); ICE should be abolished and the border opened (we’re already having problems paying for 5 million asylum seekers’ housing, food, etc.); and itap fine to put “transgender women” (fully functioning males) in girls/women’s restrooms/locker rooms, sports, and prisons.
They espouse diversity (jobs for even unqualified applicants), equity (not equality), and inclusion (but not for everyone), identity politics, and anti-semitic policies. They want to weaken — even overthrow — our country. They don’t realize that socialism only benefits its leaders. Immigrants who ran from socialist countries know what happens when socialists who promised “free stuff” take over.
Today’s Democrat Party is nothing like Clinton’s Democrat Party. You have a chance to change this now. You may not have a chance later.
You may despise Trump, but I think you would despise the poverty and tyranny of socialism more. Don’t let one man — who will be gone in 2 years — tempt you to vote for leftists. Your hate doesn’t hurt Trump. (But it can cause actual destructive changes in your brain.) Democrats need to disempower the Democratic Socialists of America.
Angie Many, Eckert
Why is Congress ignoring prevention screening for Alzheimer’s?
For the first time, there is an FDA-approved test to screen for Alzheimer’s! Sadly, without congressional approval, Medicaid and Medicare cannot pay for the test.
My wife, Eve, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020 at the young age of 60, and by last year, the disease had progressed to late-stage Alzheimer’s. Had this screening tool existed in 2014 when my wife turned 55, because of Alzheimer’s long lead time, she would have tested positive. We would have had at least six more years to turn our bucket list of dreams into memories.
More than 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Currently, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis comes only after the person has mild cognitive impairment. The Alzheimer’s screening test will enable a diagnosis and treatment before the person has cognitive impairment, pushing longevity and enabling dreams to become memories. The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act (ASAP) authorizes Medicaid and Medicare to pay for the blood test.
As of today, only three of Colorado’s 10 federal representatives are co-sponsors for the ASAP Act. Thank you, Congressman Neguse, Congressman Crow and Congresswoman Pettersen.
These federal representatives are not signed on as Co-Sponsors for the ASAP Act: Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, Congresswoman DeGette, Congresswoman Boebert, Congressman Crank, Congressman Evans and Congressman Hurd.
These federal representatives are ignoring the health and well-being of Coloradans. Please push your representatives to co-sponsor the ASAP Act.
Daniel Brown, Wheat Ridge
Crack down on license plate violations
Re: “More speed cameras, enforcement coming to metro Denver,” April 1 news story
The post should have a reporter find out how many speeders get away because of hidden or nonexistent license plates. It’s a sure way to get away with bad driving.
Donald L. Sloan, 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.
