Letters to the Editor | May 30, 2025

The Inquirer’s recent editorial calling for the abolishment of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office is not only misinformed — it’s reckless, biased, and reflective of a long-standing agenda that undermines both journalistic integrity and the truth. As Philadelphia’s first woman and first African American woman elected sheriff, I have faced my share of scrutiny due to the much-needed reforms this office has lacked before my tenure.

The Inquirer’s repeated attacks cross the line into editorial bullying. It continues to push false narratives while ignoring progress, refusing to acknowledge reforms, and misrepresenting the work we do on behalf of the people of this city. Let’s be clear: The sheriff’s office has made measurable improvements during my tenure.

We’ve modernized internal systems to improve accountability, including firearm tracking and electronic audit processes. We’ve streamlined property sales to make them more accessible and transparent to the public. We’ve deepened community engagement, expanded public safety programs, and strengthened partnerships with faith leaders, anti-violence groups, and neighborhood stakeholders.

These are the real stories — not the editorial fiction being recycled by an outlet that should be asking better questions, not fueling tired narratives. The Inquirer has increasingly shown a disregard for the ethics of fair reporting. Its recent decision to publish a summer reading list made up of fake, AI-generated book titles and false author attributions, as reported by Axios, underscores a troubling editorial decline. This isn’t just an embarrassing mistake — it’s emblematic of a newsroom that has lost its grip on journalistic standards. If The Inquirer can’t fact-check its book lists, how can we trust it to report on complex government operations accurately?

What’s most concerning now is The Inquirer’s shift from biased coverage to bullying elected officials. This latest editorial isn’t just criticism — it’s a pressure tactic designed to force policymakers into reacting to an agenda that is divorced from the truth. They are demanding that public officials respond. This is not journalism — it’s manipulation. The sheriff’s office performs essential, constitutionally mandated functions — from courtroom security and prisoner transport to property sales and community safety initiatives. Calls to abolish this office are not rooted in policy but in politics, and deeply flawed narratives driven by an Editorial Board more interested in clickbait than civic responsibility.

I stand by the progress we’ve made and remain committed to transparency, service, and reform. We welcome dialogue. We welcome questions. But we will not be bullied into silence — and we will not allow the public to be misled. Let’s focus on solutions, not smear campaigns. Together, we can continue to build a sheriff’s office — and a city — that works for everyone.

Rochelle Bilal, sheriff, Philadelphia

The responsibility of The Inquirer is to keep the public informed. The House of Representatives has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill. Hidden in the enormous legislation is something that will change this country from a democracy to an autocracy. Buried in Section 70302 is a clause that says no federal court may enforce a contempt citation. If the courts have no ability to enforce compliance with their rulings, then Donald Trump can break whatever laws he wants. The courts have already ruled against Trump 170 times. Trump has already defied a unanimous 9-0 U.S. Supreme Court decision to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home from a Salvadoran prison. The Inquirer needs to put this in huge, bold print on the front page every day until the Senate removes this provision. Everything else right now is less important.

Eileen Hill, Mount Laurel

It’s not just Philadelphia: South Jersey is also experiencing poor road conditions. Every day, I travel throughout the roads of South Jersey, deftly avoiding as many potholes as I can. I thought I was doing a good job until I had a wheel alignment at my recent auto service appointment. My suspicions about Jersey road conditions were verified when a recent study by Junk Car Medics found the state has the second-worst roads in the country (Rhode Island has the nation’s worst roads). The study concluded that out of the 3,868 miles of roads in the Garden State, 1,767 miles were found to be in poor condition — shocking! Poor road conditions are hazardous, costly to auto owners, and could cause dangerous accidents, even deadly ones. The New Jersey Department of Transportation receives state funding of $85 million annually for road improvements. That should be sufficient funding to repair these unacceptable conditions.

Ed Vreeswyk, Yardville

Ukraine deserves increased weapons, intelligence, and every kind of support needed to defend against Russia’s continued bombardment. Ukrainians have bravely withstood continued attacks and destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and military structures, resulting in millions of deaths and injuries since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Ukraine has shown superiority in battlefield skills and technology over Moscow’s military. Observers stated Russia isn’t as powerful as people think (troops have poor training and low morale), and Ukraine’s leaders, military, and public have a commitment to never surrender. If the U.S. were to increase the level of comprehensive defensive support to Ukraine, and urge NATO and other European allies to increase defense budgets, a negotiated ceasefire and peace might be reached. More sanctions on Russia could help. Action — not words — is needed by our administration.

Robert Turnbull, Media

A front-page Inquirer article with a Washington Post byline reported that six out of nine ballistic attacks on Ukraine in May were North Korean KN-23 missiles. Although Donald Trump continues to put ineffective pressure on Russia to bring the Russo-Ukrainian War to a just end, there is no one in the press asking why Trump isn’t pressuring the North Koreans to end their alliance with Russia. It has also been reported that North Korea supplied Russia with 10,000 troops to fight in Ukraine. Trump boasts about having a great relationship with Kim Jong Un. He even crossed the DMZ to shake the North Korean leader’s hand in 2019. Perhaps getting North Korea to pull out of the Ukrainian conflict would put the necessary pressure on Russia to be serious about coming to the table to negotiate a serious ceasefire.

Alex Miller, Huntingdon Valley

While we are in an era of government cost-cutting, it might be time to consider challenging the tax benefits afforded to college and university endowments, which collectively are estimated to be valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The growth of these funds appears to be unchecked. At the same time, reduction of tuition does not seem to be a rightful objective of the largesse created by the fund growth. My guess is that independent audits of the finances at these schools would suggest a need to drastically reduce administrative costs and redirect these savings to the intended use of quality and affordable education. Taxing a portion of these funds would certainly be a step in assuring the true mission of these schools is realized.

Bill Smith, West Chester, w2smith@aol.com

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.