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Opinion
As chief of police and a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, I firmly believe that quality preschool programs are one of the best investments in crime prevention our community can make for the long-term.
Children who participate in these programs, particularly underserved kids, are much more likely to get a strong healthy start in life that puts them on path to begin school ready to learn.
That path leads to improved graduation rates and educational success, which in turn drives down crime rates and strengthens a community with productive, law-abiding adults.
The evidence is clear from a public safety perspective. Kids who don’t attend preschool programs don’t receive the social and emotional skills they need early on, and are twice as likely to be arrested for crimes down the road. Preschool programs are more important than ever because of learning loss brought on by the pandemic.
California should support and prioritize Pre-K in a way that reflects that reality so that all children and families have access to these programs.
Brad Rasmussen is chief of police of the city of Lakeport, California.
Children who participate in these programs, particularly underserved kids, are much more likely to get a strong healthy start in life that puts them on path to begin school ready to learn.
That path leads to improved graduation rates and educational success, which in turn drives down crime rates and strengthens a community with productive, law-abiding adults.
The evidence is clear from a public safety perspective. Kids who don’t attend preschool programs don’t receive the social and emotional skills they need early on, and are twice as likely to be arrested for crimes down the road. Preschool programs are more important than ever because of learning loss brought on by the pandemic.
California should support and prioritize Pre-K in a way that reflects that reality so that all children and families have access to these programs.
Brad Rasmussen is chief of police of the city of Lakeport, California.
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- Written by: Brad Rasmusen
I keep hearing, in the media and from elected officials, that the criminal justice system is on trial in the Derek Chauvin trial.
No, it's not. I have heard this so much over the last couple of weeks. It might sound nice, because if the system were on trial, there would be a resolution, there would be accountability for 500 years of genocide, slavery, cruel policing laws, atrocious immigration laws and more. But it's not.
During the trial, evidence will be heard relating to one murder. The court will be subject to the same set of standards and laws that have always systemically favored white people with money, and police officers especially so. The court will not hear arguments about the system in general, or relating to other cases. The Judge MAY make a statement after the trial that indicts the system, but the Judge will have no authority to sentence anyone other than the accused, or change the system in any way other than the case itself setting any precedent that it might.
Security has already been increased around the trial, because if the Judge does not sentence Chauvin harshly enough, or worse let's him walk away, there will be chaos and anger. The system will be guilty of being racist, of being sexist, of being classist and of being ableist no matter what the court rules.
And even if the court rules against Chauvin, even if he is sentenced to life, he will be a token prosecution, a scapegoat. The criminal injustice system isn't going to change without changing the laws and without accountability, so that those who refuse to enforce existing laws are exposed and dealt with.
If the criminal justice system really WERE on trial, it would be found guilty and sentenced to replacement.
Jason Kishineff lives in American Canyon, California.
No, it's not. I have heard this so much over the last couple of weeks. It might sound nice, because if the system were on trial, there would be a resolution, there would be accountability for 500 years of genocide, slavery, cruel policing laws, atrocious immigration laws and more. But it's not.
During the trial, evidence will be heard relating to one murder. The court will be subject to the same set of standards and laws that have always systemically favored white people with money, and police officers especially so. The court will not hear arguments about the system in general, or relating to other cases. The Judge MAY make a statement after the trial that indicts the system, but the Judge will have no authority to sentence anyone other than the accused, or change the system in any way other than the case itself setting any precedent that it might.
Security has already been increased around the trial, because if the Judge does not sentence Chauvin harshly enough, or worse let's him walk away, there will be chaos and anger. The system will be guilty of being racist, of being sexist, of being classist and of being ableist no matter what the court rules.
And even if the court rules against Chauvin, even if he is sentenced to life, he will be a token prosecution, a scapegoat. The criminal injustice system isn't going to change without changing the laws and without accountability, so that those who refuse to enforce existing laws are exposed and dealt with.
If the criminal justice system really WERE on trial, it would be found guilty and sentenced to replacement.
Jason Kishineff lives in American Canyon, California.
- Details
- Written by: Jason Kishineff
We wish to express our concerns in regards to the Major Use Permit Application (UP 20-28) by Gustafson Farms LLC to be heard by the Lake County Planning Commission on Thursday, April 22, at 9:15 am.
The location(s) of the proposed project(s) are 4440, 4460, 4520 and 4550 George Road in Lakeport.
We along with our neighbors on George Road have many concerns about the negative impacts this project will create in our daily lives, for our quality of life and the environment both locally and county-wide.
Some of our concerns include:
● Increased traffic and congestion;
● Groundwater contamination and potential for pollution into surrounding lands;
● Depletion of water table, current drought conditions;
● Storage of pesticides, fertilizers, phosphates and other hazardous materials in close proximity to homes;
● Odor pollution;
● Light pollution;
● Noise pollution;
● Increased risk for crime;
● Potential to lower home and property values;
● Impacts to the lake from groundwater discharge leaching into nearby streams, creeks and waterways;
● Potential for increased greenhouse gases;
● Obstruction of rural countryside views.
This project is literally in our backyard. How we conduct our daily lives will be impacted and changed. Our neighborhood is residential with a mixture of small vineyards, walnut trees and home fruit and vegetable gardens.
George Road was never engineered nor designed to support large volume industry and manufacturing. This is why we chose to purchase property and raise our family here; where our children ride their bicycles up and down the street, where they take their dogs and horses for walks and rides.
If this project were to move forward it would forever change the face of our neighborhood, and not for the better. I ask you to please put yourself in our shoes. Backyard summer barbecues will not be the same with the obnoxious smell that this project brings. Our children will no longer be able to enjoy the freedoms that they do now with increased traffic, congestion and potential for increased crime that can come with these types of projects. The problems associated with the possibility of contamination and depletion to our wells.
This is not the place for an operation of this magnitude. Please support us in our concern and opposition to this project.
Chad and Brandi Parlee live in Lakeport, California.
The location(s) of the proposed project(s) are 4440, 4460, 4520 and 4550 George Road in Lakeport.
We along with our neighbors on George Road have many concerns about the negative impacts this project will create in our daily lives, for our quality of life and the environment both locally and county-wide.
Some of our concerns include:
● Increased traffic and congestion;
● Groundwater contamination and potential for pollution into surrounding lands;
● Depletion of water table, current drought conditions;
● Storage of pesticides, fertilizers, phosphates and other hazardous materials in close proximity to homes;
● Odor pollution;
● Light pollution;
● Noise pollution;
● Increased risk for crime;
● Potential to lower home and property values;
● Impacts to the lake from groundwater discharge leaching into nearby streams, creeks and waterways;
● Potential for increased greenhouse gases;
● Obstruction of rural countryside views.
This project is literally in our backyard. How we conduct our daily lives will be impacted and changed. Our neighborhood is residential with a mixture of small vineyards, walnut trees and home fruit and vegetable gardens.
George Road was never engineered nor designed to support large volume industry and manufacturing. This is why we chose to purchase property and raise our family here; where our children ride their bicycles up and down the street, where they take their dogs and horses for walks and rides.
If this project were to move forward it would forever change the face of our neighborhood, and not for the better. I ask you to please put yourself in our shoes. Backyard summer barbecues will not be the same with the obnoxious smell that this project brings. Our children will no longer be able to enjoy the freedoms that they do now with increased traffic, congestion and potential for increased crime that can come with these types of projects. The problems associated with the possibility of contamination and depletion to our wells.
This is not the place for an operation of this magnitude. Please support us in our concern and opposition to this project.
Chad and Brandi Parlee live in Lakeport, California.
- Details
- Written by: Chad and Brandi Parlee
I was pleased to read about Congressman Mike Thompson’s AAPI roundtable and his leadership in pushing for identification of anti-Asian hate crimes as well as his work co-authoring the COVID 19 Hates Crimes Act and the Hate Crimes Commission Act.
Although hate crime statistics are still being compiled for 2020, one of the most stunning trends are the number of hate crimes being committed against elderly Asian Americans. Older Asian Americans already feel particularly vulnerable with the memories of our racist past still living in their bodies. We should not turn our heads away from the white supremacist legacy in the AAPI community.
As we move forward in the coming months, I urge Congressman Thompson to continue his leadership by supporting the THRIVE agenda which will allocate resources to local communities so that responses can be tailored to specific needs.
Deb DePuy lives in Los Angeles, California.
Although hate crime statistics are still being compiled for 2020, one of the most stunning trends are the number of hate crimes being committed against elderly Asian Americans. Older Asian Americans already feel particularly vulnerable with the memories of our racist past still living in their bodies. We should not turn our heads away from the white supremacist legacy in the AAPI community.
As we move forward in the coming months, I urge Congressman Thompson to continue his leadership by supporting the THRIVE agenda which will allocate resources to local communities so that responses can be tailored to specific needs.
Deb DePuy lives in Los Angeles, California.
- Details
- Written by: Deb DePuy