Tucson Speaks Out: February 3

Police protection

I previously sent a letter to the Editor wherein I advised Mayor Romero that she had the responsibility to advise the Tucson Police Department that they had the primary duty to protect and defend the citizens of Tucson, particularly from any Nazi-style group of terrorist thugs We now read in Tim Steller’s column that Darell Hussman, one of the officers on the “rapid-response” team of the Tucson Police Department, is saying that they are called upon to “protect federal agents.” Understand that Donald Trump’s Gestapo, ICE, is a poorly trained bunch of thugs who do not follow the law: they break into houses with no warrant, they arrest and detain American citizens, they separate small children from their parents, and they wound and murder American citizens. Donald Trump is following Adolf Hitler’s strategy, and the creation of his Gestapo is a major part of it. The Tucson taxpayers pay the Tucson Police. It should be their first responsibility to protect the citizens of Tucson.

Dale Pelton

Northwest side

Smart talk unsourced

My dear Mr. Johnson: Regarding your LTE Feb. 1, can you tell me how many women have been raped and/or killed by illegal immigrants? What is your source for this information? Can you tell me how many women have been raped and/or killed by US citizens? What is your source for this? How do they compare? Since many US citizens rape and kill women, should we put you in detention? After all, I do believe you are a male US citizen aren't you?

Bette Bunker Richards

Midtown

Failure to understand

What Loyal doesn't understand is that almost everyone is in agreement that criminals should be deported. Obama deported more than Trump has. It can be done without the chaos. It's the deportation of people who often have nothing more than traffic offenses, stopping people for how they look, detaining US citizens, separating families, etc. Texas and Florida have many more immigrants than Minnesota. TDS is real but not what he thinks it is. It's unquestioned loyalty to a cult led a narcissistic felon.

Craig Miller

Northwest side

Ice invasion avoidable?

Our Loyal friend in OV has found a new group to chastise, the citizens of Minneapolis. He believes that the killing of two people, one protesting peacefully and one in her car leaving the scene would not have been killed had they protested peacefully. Renee Good wasn't even protesting. She was leaving when a ICE agent decided it was her time to die. Alex Pretti is clearly seen videoing ICE agents, not any hostile act. He was aiding a woman the ICE officer just shoved to the ground. For his "chivalrous act" he was shot 10 times. Or was it only 9 times? Most of us have seen the videos. Most of us understand the jackbooted thugs that aren't well trained murdered two innocent people. Neither did anything remotely deserving of the death penalty. Maybe our loyal friend hasn't seen the videos.

John Bingham

Northwest side

Proper law enforcement conduct

The actions taken by LE are justified when they focus on those who have committed serious criminal acts, the worst of the worst, not on vulnerable populations such as families. Due process must be upheld within local communities, and professionalism in law enforcement is essential. Officers should be transparent by identifying themselves clearly, and they must engage with the public through proper methods rather than resorting to smoke bombs, pepper spray & violence. It is unacceptable to confront innocent individuals aggressively, especially when they are unarmed or have been effectively disarmed. Adhering to established procedures, having legal warrants, and respecting rules of engagement are vital. The unfortunate deaths of two protesters highlight the need for proper law enforcement conduct. LE should remove their masks and display their identification openly. The tragic events could have been avoided if those involved in enforcement actions had received adequate professional training. During peaceful demonstrations, especially where ICE may be operating outside lawful parameters, caution should be paramount.

Peter Bisschop

East side

Mayes sees possible perfect storm

The front page of the Arizona Daily Star on January 31st showed a disagreement between Katie Hobbs and Mayes. I like Hobbs and agree that we need to keep the temperature down. I also think it's important to point out a perfect storm possibility when you see one. Mayes has the gift of seeing that as a possibility for us with our circumstances. With knowledge, hopefully, we can come up with solutions and be prepared rather then crossing our fingers and hope nothing happens. Mayes is also proactive in protecting us against the unconstitutional actions of the White House. We need to support her and leaders like her who fight to protect our liberties.

Elain Geary

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East side

Foresight

Weirdly, some thought that ICE agents executing white people wouldn't be a part of Trump's deportation of non-white, presumed criminals. You didn't foresee that either?

You were blind to that possibility despite Trump's attempting goals with no foresight other than to create a chaotic tsunami of disasters? You don't recall January 6th?

You forgot Trump's appointed Homeland Security Secretary determined that the best way to deal with a puppy's behavioral issue was a summary execution?

You may be forgiven for past oversights, but only if you now agree to recognize that the megalomaniac in charge has access to the nuclear codes and is currently threatening every geopolitical entity on the planet — friend and foe alike. Also, The Department of Defense is now The Department of War. Absolution will only occur, and must be self-administered, when you vote his sycophantic henchmen out of office in November. Only you can prevent WWIII.

Rick Cohn

West side

Minneapolis shootings

A SCOTUS decision in 1989, Graham vs Connor, allowed police to use force if at the time, not in hindsight, they reasonably, not 100%, believe it is warranted. If one is pulled over at night and points their phone at the officer one could possibly be shot as the officer did not know what was in your hand or your intent. If Granny did the same thing I believe the result would be different legally. I believe this was the basis for the officer to be exonerated in the Michael Brown case. George Floyd? Can't explain that one.

Mark Moral

East side

ICE actions in Minnesota are illegal

In a February 1 LTE captioned "Makes no sense," the contributor's second paragraph begins "ICE actions are absolutely legal." This precedes the assertion in his third paragraph that "The tragic killing of two protestors could have been easily avoided" but for the fault of Minnesota and Minneapolis "politicians."

I wholeheartedly agree that the contributor "makes no sense."

Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti, the people ICE and Border Patrol shot to death, were both American citizens.

The Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 USC 1357, subject to limitations, authorizes ICE to arrest "person(s) in the US illegally" and to "interrogate individuals believed to be aliens." It does not confer any police power with respect to U.S. citizens, the several states of the Union, or any municipality therein.

With all due respect, I suggest that the contributor, as is his custom, has once again submitted a letter that does not meet the Star's requirement of "easily verifiable" fact.

Thomas Blackwell

Oro Valley