Letters
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.
- Details
- 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
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