Prioritize, and do both
It’s rare that I agree with Joe Soucheray’s logic , so I must mark the occasion with this letter. Though I was a resident of St. Paul for 25 years, I am no longer, and certainly the decisions around addressing gun violence in the city are better left to current residents. However, if I may, with humility, offer a friendly compromise into a decision-making process, I wish to do so.
Namely, Mayor Carter favors a community-centered public health initiative for violence prevention and intervention, while the police chief (and Soucheray, “How would you track success of a safety plan?” Nov. 24) suggest the use of ShotSpotter, technology that uses acoustic sensors to help police respond more quickly and, one would guess, more precisely to the sounds of gunfire.
Since Soucheray reports that the cost of ShotSpotter is largely borne by the state (with the city responsible for $250,000), perhaps this technology could be fit into Mayor Carter’s plan, if he were to prioritize the programs and initiatives of his supplemental public safety budget, and put on hold, for a period of time, those further down his list. It would seem to me that the ShotSpotter technology has a potential to more immediately address gun violence as it occurs, while the public health measures to guide youth to needed programs, services and employment, while equally valuable, would address gun violence in the long-term and “big picture.”
It would seem both approaches could be valuable. After a mutually agreed-upon period of time, six months or a year, all measures could be evaluated for their efficacy, with future budgets and appropriations adjusted appropriately.
Lisa Wersal, Vadnais Heights
These things can be measured
Mr. Soucheray’s most recent Sunday column leaves the reader wondering whether he is being deliberately obtuse or is just confused.
If upstream solutions to public safety problems, like housing access, after school programs, and community ambassadors, have an impact, we will see a decrease in crime. Arrest rates will remain measurable, even though the city is not hiring additional law enforcement officers.
Further metrics could be useful to assess the state of the city. High school graduation rates, for one, could be meaningful. Willingness to call 911 to report a crime is another marker of improved community relations.
To argue that it is impossible to gauge the impact of these policy interventions is absurd and demonstrates a real lack of curiosity.
Jayne Discenza, St. Paul
Who controls the purse strings?
In recent days there have been some letter writers here lambasting President Trump over the deficit. If I recall correctly, the House controls the purse strings of our government.. And just who is in control of the House? Why, Democrats, of course.
Lee J. Christianson, Baldwin, Wis.
Please don’t give up
Am I the only one who is asking why this powerful organization of Black Lives Matter seems to be invisible when it comes to anything proactive in the community they represent? In the schools and on the streets there is mayhem. Why aren’t BLM people observing what goes on in classrooms? Why isn’t there a presence shown in known places where problems exist? Example: Hamline and University BP station?
Some time back a small courageous group called “Black Truce Self Hate Awareness and Prevention” was trying to get established. If only they were afforded the support BLM has.
Please don’t give up. You are exactly what is needed.
J. Mertz, St. Paul
Truth and duty
When I was in grade school, a teacher asked us what we thought was George Washington’s greatest accomplishment. He won the Revolutionary War, some replied, while others pointed out that he was our first president.
No, declared the teacher, his greatest accomplishment was that, after serving two terms as president, he retired to Mount Vernon, thus establishing the principle that our presidents are bound by the Constitution and are not above the law.
From 1783 until his death in 1799 Washington was the first president of the Society of the Cincinnati, named for the Roman hero Cincinnatus, who, during a time of crisis, was asked to serve as dictator with absolute power. When his term was up, he went back to his farm. Some desired, others feared Washington declaring himself a monarch or even a dictator, but in the end, with grace, humility and wisdom, Washington adhered to the example set by Cincinnatus.
Our founders were deeply impressed by Rome and sought to model our republic after it. The triumvirate that ruled Rome was made up of three men of equal power, with each chosen to serve for a limited term. And so, in emulation, the founders gave us three equal branches of government.
Also, the founders were believers in the Roman virtues of duty, seriousness, nobility, sacrifice, faithfulness, patriotism and honesty, among others. Watching the congressional impeachment hearings, I was impressed by how many of the witnesses were exemplars of these ancient virtues with their long years of service, forthrightness and devotion to the country. It’s something we should all be humbled by and learn from.
I don’t know if Donald Trump Trump will be removed from office. I do believe, however, that he has violated his oath of office, not only by obstructing Congress but also by delaying or refusing to carry out its legislation. He and many of his appointed officials are, in fact, the antithesis of Roman nobility and virtue. Congress may not succeed in removing Trump, but that doesn’t make its duty to protect its constitutional rights as an equal branch any less vital or any less virtuous.
The Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote: “If it is not right, do not do it. If it is not true, do not say it.” Very simply put, it’s all about truth and duty.
Dan Hanneman, Maplewood
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