What Rep. Jasmine Crockett doesn’t know about policing could fill a book | Opinion
Learn first
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas recently said of the role of police in society that “law enforcement isn’t to prevent crime. Law enforcement solves crime, OK?”
Crockett is seemingly unaware of law enforcement’s primary responsibility. Nearly 200 years ago, Sir Robert Peel, a conservative member of the British Parliament, secured passage of the Metropolitan Police Act. It provided the foundation for the role of the modern police officer.
Peel established the principles of police accountability and community-based policing, and the precept that truly effective law enforcement is measured not by the number of arrests but the absence of crime. In other words, Peel described law enforcement’s primary mission as preventing crime, not apprehending criminals.
Before speaking publicly, Crockett should familiarize herself with her subject matter. Clearly, law enforcement is one of them.
- Patrick Hunter, Dallas
Basic civility
Regardless of whether one agreed with Charlie Kirk’s views, it is heartbreaking that he was assassinated for exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.
I didn’t agree with him on many issues, but I mourn his loss, as his family and friends do. Most of all, I mourn for our country. He was killed for sharing an opinion. If violence against speech becomes normalized, all our freedoms are at risk.
Americans young and old have the responsibility to create a culture that values respect, curiosity and compassion despite our differences. Let us reflect on how we can come together as one nation and ensure free expression remains safe for every generation.
- Claire Cooper, Fort Worth
Enough fighting
Do members of the Trump administration understand history and what could go wrong with asking people to turn in fellow Americans forperceived wrongdoing?
Many Americans are old enough to remember the collapse of the Soviet Union and East Germans poring through the Stasi files to discover that neighbors, friends and even family members had turned them in for infractions against the state. Some remember Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s “Enemies from Within” lists and J. Edgar Hoover’s secret FBI files on prominent citizens — and the stains they left on American democracy.
As Americans, we can agree on norms and standards. We’ve got a Constitution and 250 years of history to guide us. “Them” and “us” has got to go.
- Sarah Dolbier, Fort Worth
Keep it positive
Our country has experienced another incident of political violence with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. These incidents can largely be blamed on the tone of our country’s political discourse.
Too many Republican leaders take President Donald Trump’s rhetorical lead in promising Americans that they will fight for their political agenda. They seem to think belligerence directed at the other side wins votes. And indeed, it does for many voters. They love to hear someone promising to aggressively address their grievances.
But the minute I hear a political leader telling me they’re going to fight, I discount them and view them as not serious about governing. I’m listening to leaders who tell me they’ll work to advance my interests, a much less divisive and more productive approach.
- Bettye Parker, Trophy Club
A compromise
Current practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its enforcement of immigration law are inhumane, including the conditions of the compounds where people are detained. American farmers complain of the loss of workers to harvest their crops, and other industries are suffering as well.
One suggested solution is offering people permanent residency. They would pay taxes but could not vote. And it would allow them a pathway to becoming citizens. Those committing crimes should be deported, but many are law-abiding and simply wish to live in our country. This promises a benefit to all of us.
- Tom Fegan, North Richland Hills