Letters to the Editor – Chief David Kunkle, Dallas animal shelter, neighborliness

Kunkle ushered in new era of policing

Re: “‘He left a legacy and a very high bar’ — During tenure as Dallas’ top cop, morale went up as crime rates fell,” Saturday obituary.

Count me into the legions of Chief David Kunkle admirers. On the cutting edge of a new era of policing, he profoundly changed our police department’s culture from being a menacing presence in the community to an empathic one where patrols and police storefront operations restored community trust.

His car chase policy, one of the most restrictive in the nation, epitomized his priority for the safety of both his officers and the public. It only allowed car chases for violent felonies, not for low-end misdemeanors.

We need to revisit the grace and wisdom of Kunkle’s policies and practices as pertains to traffic stops today for minor violations that do not impact public safety but nevertheless result in citizen fatalities often while in police custody.

Katherine Homan, Dallas/East Kessler Park

When drafting cellphone policy …

Re: “Richardson ISD Has Cellphones in the Bag — Pouches sealed during school hours put temptation to rest and give learning a chance,” Friday editorial.

Richardson ISD is on track of finding a solution for the problems of cellphones in school, and I hope they’re considering another important aspect of this program. They need to ensure they’re not locking out students with disabilities. Cellphones are an accessibility tool for many students. They may use it to read text on a screen aloud. They may use it to have the text read aloud for them. They may use it for live captions.

Cellphones offer many accessible options that you can’t get in the classroom. The teacher may share a website with the class. But if that website isn’t accessible to someone who is blind, colorblind, autistic or has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, then it puts these students at a disadvantage. Their devices will allow them to access the website using their preferred settings.

Students with disabilities already have barriers. Don’t add to it by taking away their accessibility tool. Not all of them have a 504 plan that documents their accessibility and accommodation requirements.

I hope Richardson ISD finds a solution that cuts cellphone use in the classroom without sacrificing student accessibility requirements.

Meryl Evans, Plano

Cut back on alphabet soup

Re: “Attacks prove No Labels worries major parties,” by Joe Lieberman, Sunday Opinion.

I’m in favor! Let’s start by dropping R and D from candidates names on ballots. Let’s see if we get more thoughtful voters and smarter candidates.

Sherry Files, McKinney

These are not the same

Re: “Are there heroes among us? Americans need leaders to rise above tribalism,” by Jordan M. Wootten, Sunday Opinion.

Wootten outlines the serious divides that plague our nation. He then asks who will “lead us toward unity, charity, civility, virtue, respect and moral character? Where are the Republican and Democrats?” That question insinuates that both sides are equally to blame. Interesting.

I then have to ask Wootten these questions: What is the Democratic equivalent of Jan. 6? What is the equivalent of a Democratic party leader excusing the perpetrators of Jan. 6 and actually calling them patriots? What is the Democratic equivalent of trying to legalize the less-than-equal treatment of certain groups (women, people of color, LGBTQ, Muslims, etc.)? What is the Democratic equivalent of trying to overthrow our democracy in favor of autocracy?

Until Wootten can give legitimate answers to those questions, the portrayal of Republicans and Democrats as equally responsible for this nation’s divisions is laughable.

Milo Gienger, Plano

Going in circles

Re: “These Dogs (and Cats) Need Their Day — Dallas’ animal shelter is full, but there are many ways to help,” July 11 editorial.

This editorial hit home for me. I have a soft spot for dogs. I believe strongly in spaying and neutering for the prevention to help stop further over crowded problems.

It is a great problem to continue this, though, when you have to schedule procedures three months out and pay $400 for neutering.

I did find an appointment a little sooner for about $100 provided this latest adopted dog doesn’t get over 80 pounds before then. He is a stray approximately 1 year-plus, a large heeler/Lab cross. Beautiful pup, sweet disposition, no chip and not sterilized — already a year when I found him.

I understand prices of everything have increased, but it seems we are going in circles trying to avoid overcrowded dog shelters.

Thanks for allowing me to sound off. It is a real problem.

Marsha Rowan, Waxahachie

Social interaction paid off

Re: “Neighbors are important,” by Beth Whitaker, Friday Letters.

This letter to the editor reminded me of a similar example when my wife noticed six weeks into the pandemic in 2020 that two of her single friends — one a widow and one a divorcée — were lapsing into depression because of being alone without meaningful contact with friends or colleagues.

So she invited them over for a backyard patio dinner one Thursday — socially distanced — to provide some social interaction. We could instantly tell that this was a good thing because our friends’ demeanor lightened quickly and our conversation became animated and joyful. They stayed until 10:30 p.m. sharing stories and enjoying the evening.

My compassionate wife decided to invite them back the following Thursday to see if this experience could be sustained, and they came and once again stayed late into the evening.

Thus began an event that continued for the next two years, aptly named Thankful Thursday. It included sharing birthdays and holidays and other events.

As the letter to the editor says, ”These affiliations during trying times should never be underestimated,” and we should all take notice of the people around us and find ways to help.

Don Pearce, Dallas/Oak Highlands

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