Letters To The Editor
Leave enforcement of laws up to sheriff
In my opinion, Sheriff Mark Sterk is doing the right thing by adding more deputies to patrol the Valley roads.
With the phenomenal growth the past few years, we Valley residents need all the protection and help we can get.
Do not forget that the Washington State Patrol has recently pulled all troopers from our county roadways and now patrols only state highways.
Who is going to replace that help and protection on the county roads?
As people tend to drive faster and faster, and accidents become more severe, it does not take an engineer to figure out that we need more deputies.
Everyone who drives knows that when a sheriff’s car is spotted everyone throws on the brakes, dons a halo and drives the posted limit immediately.
Having deputies on patrol does work and limits accidents.
Having deputies in the area also helps deter crimes such as robberies, rapes and holdups.
Lord knows there are more bad things going on now in Spokane than ever before.
Hooray for Mark Sterk!
To Mr. Rev. Shelly, I say, stick to preaching, set an example for our young people, leave the law enforcement to the sheriff and ask: How would you react to being mugged, held up, your home broken into and no law enforcement responded? Jackie and Jim Peters Spokane
Comments slap in the face for police officers
This is in response to Tom Shelly’s Front Porch commentary (Valley Voice, Feb. 18):
While the possible use of traffic ticket fines to pay for new officers is a valid point to be argued, Tom Shelly should be ashamed of himself in regard to his obvious lack of self-discipline on the streets and roadways.
He’s a self-admitted lawbreaker and an obvious whiner because he continues to be caught.
What’s next for one who thinks nothing of numerous small infractions?
Is he preparing himself for the eventual red light running test and its potental fatal results?
He has lived here for five years and therefore is not a newcomer.
And regardless of that excuse, he waived it the instant he accepted a Washington drivers license.
His “back-in-California” excuse is nonvalid and pathetic.
One of the few comments of value in his entire letter was: “Maybe I should be more careful driving and those who break the traffic laws, including me, ought to be ticketed to cut down on preventable accidents.”
The bulk of his comments are a gross slap to the face of law enforcement officers who were properly performing their assigned duty.
Again, shame on you Tom Shelly. You should know better … and you know it. James L. Baxter Spokane