Letters to the Editor | March 22, 2023

Millions of people watched the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol on live TV. We all saw a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters attempt to prevent the peaceful transfer of power, one of the hallmarks of American democracy. At least seven people lost their lives in connection with the attack and about 150 officers were injured. Since then, more than 800 people have been found guilty of various crimes and sentenced for their role in the violence. Calling this event an “insurrection” seems entirely appropriate, perhaps even understated. But not to Pennsylvania State Sen. Cris Dush. Spotlight PA reported that Dush admonished fellow State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti for calling what happened on Jan. 6 an “insurrection.” Dush is quoted as telling Cappelletti: “We don’t use that [word] here.” Since Dush didn’t respond to requests for a Spotlight PA interview, perhaps he’ll respond to this letter and tell us how he would describe what we all saw happen? If it wasn’t an insurrection, then what was it?

Carol Gall, Jim Thorpe

When an officer makes a car stop, the driver is checked to see if there are any outstanding warrants or if the car is stolen. Many of these rather routine stops result in an arrest. When a person is arrested, he is searched — leading to the greater likelihood of finding a gun or other prohibited items. This important crime prevention tool was thrown away by City Council when it approved the “driving equality legislation.” The proposal was approved because police stats have shown that Black residents are stopped in far greater proportion to their numbers in the population. This is true. But two other facts are also true and are backed up by every statistical measure gathered by the police. One is Black residents are far more likely to be the victims of violent crime. Second, given intraracial victimization trends, Black people are much more likely to be the perpetrators of that violent crime. Number one is always mentioned in articles about violence, but the second fact, never. The police are generally deployed in the places with the highest crime. More police are therefore assigned to districts with larger minority populations. It would be expected that would result in disproportionate racial figures for both arrests and people who are stopped and frisked. We cannot solve a problem if we refuse to recognize what crime data tell us. And if we handcuff the police with legislation that doesn’t permit them to use the very few tools that they have for stopping violence, then the communities who need it most will be the ones to suffer the most.

Charles Brennan, retired, deputy police commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department

Regarding Jeff Brown’s decision to put his ShopRite stores in poorly served areas of Philadelphia, Inquirer reporters seem to want to focus on the subsidies he received and somehow make his efforts appear self-serving. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I live in southern New Jersey and know that there have been talks for years to bring another supermarket to Camden. Corporations are rarely interested in taking on the risks associated with opening in underserved areas. Even with incentives and subsidies, there are few flourishing food chains willing to open in many neighborhoods. Brown was willing to accept those challenges. I have shopped in Brown’s stores throughout the city. I am always impressed by their cleanliness, the friendly help, and the positive atmosphere. Brown has made it a point to hire people from the neighborhoods in which the stores are located and to provide good jobs for those with less than stellar work histories. The benefits to each community go beyond simply providing a good choice of food.

Barbara Blonsky, Mount Laurel

As the grave consequences of environmental injustice become more evident each year, so does the Environmental Protection Agency’s role in addressing them. The EPA’s newly proposed lower standard for soot pollution is a step forward but falls short of effectively confronting this pernicious problem. It is disappointing that the agency has ignored the ample scientific evidence demonstrating that stronger limits on soot than those it has proposed — and recommended by independent expert science advisers and the nation’s leading health and medical groups — are necessary to protect public health and prevent premature deaths. Soot pollution is spewing from multiple sources, and by failing to meaningfully tighten protections, the EPA could miss an opportunity to save nearly 20,000 lives annually. This proposal is insufficient and does not fulfill the Biden administration’s commitment to protect our air and health and advance justice for communities traditionally overburdened by dangerous air pollution.

Beatrice Zovich, Philadelphia

I am a resident of Penn Center House, a high-rise building in Center City. Our building is constructed of concrete and steel — fire-resistant materials. In addition, we have the dampers required by City Hall in all apartments, as well as smoke alarms, which are inspected regularly by the city, throughout every apartment. In the 60 years of our existence, no person has ever been hurt because of a fire. If the sprinkler legislation is approved, it will cost the people living in my building between $20,000 and $50,000 per unit — and that doesn’t even include the cost of relocation while the sprinklers are being installed. Many simply cannot afford these costs and will not be able to stay in their homes. The average age of our residents is 68, and many of us plan to stay here for the rest of our lives. So while none of our residents has ever been hurt by a fire, many will be hurt by the sprinkler legislation. Council members need to know how this bill will affect the citizens they represent before voting on it.

Patricia R. Smith, Philadelphia

I believe that Philadelphia has come up with an ingenious method for making a great deal of money. Street parking has always been a problem in South Philadelphia, with far more cars than spots. The problem has been helped some by issuing parking permits to residents, which keeps commuters from parking here and taking the bus into Center City to avoid parking lot fees. But now, signs for street cleaning are all over the neighborhoods, making it illegal to have your car on the street between certain hours to allow the cleaning trucks to come through. In my area, it is Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. These signs are on at least three consecutive blocks, meaning that over 90 cars are going to have to find other places to park every Wednesday from March until November. Even if they don’t clean the street, you are liable for a ticket if your car is parked. We didn’t ask for this service, and actually clean our own block frequently. It is a thoughtless gesture by the city that will likely result in increased ticket revenue. It serves no purpose for the taxpayers living here other than making owning a car a living hell.

Charles Parker, Philadelphia

Many Republicans in Congress proclaim that criminal investigations and potential prosecutions of the former president are politically motivated. Not so! Consider, if a visitor learned the principles and laws of our justice system and was explained why the sculpture of the scales of justice is a blindfolded woman, that visitor would conclude all persons suspected of committing a crime should be treated equally, and all evidence should be weighed objectively. Political implications and consequences are extraneous and irrelevant in the honest pursuit of equal justice. Blindfolded Lady Justice, our judiciary — and our Department of Justice — must treat everyone without fear, favor, or consideration of the fame, wealth, or power of any suspect. Arguing otherwise corrupts the rule of law.

Mark DeWitte, Lyndell

The poles and wires in Ventnor have been an issue for as long as I can remember. They are an eyesore and may potentially reduce property values. Additionally, they make the business district less attractive. Although I am not an expert, they may also pose a danger to residents. As one of those residents, I would like to see unnecessary telephone lines removed, any broken equipment fixed, and any hanging wires taken down. Multiple lines going to a building should be placed through a covered pipe. Fixing the poles and wires would improve the aesthetics of our town and help prepare it for its “interviews” that determine town likability, as Commissioner Tim Kriebel has suggested. I urge Comcast, Verizon, and Atlantic City Electric to provide better services to their customers, especially considering the exorbitant charges they impose on us.

Lee Widman, Ventnor City, N.J.

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