Re: “Sheriff calls for reform amid crisis” (Jan. 31):

I commend Sheriff Knezovich on his support of pretrial services for nonviolent offenders. In doing so, he demonstrates both compassion and effective fiscal management of the taxpayers’ dollars. The Sheriff’s Department exists to keep the citizens of Spokane County safe, not as a social services agency for which it has neither the capacity nor the funding.

In calling for pretrial services for arrestees who are homeless, addicted or mentally ill, Knezovich is focusing on prevention rather than punishment. By screening during booking, arrestees such as these can be immediately deferred to an intervention program. Because the deferral is the result of an arrest, authorities would have the leverage to ensure that the individual stayed in the program and showed up for court dates.

We elected Ozzie Knezovich to the county’s top law enforcement post not only because we believed that he was a capable law officer, but also because he had the education, experience and skills to effectively manage such a large agency. His call for a policy change that would continue to lock up predators, but send those who are sick where they can get help, demonstrates his competency on both levels.

Patrick M. Reeves

Cheney