Letters to the editor for March 15

Use GPS devices to pursue fleeing criminals

I understand the opposition to police vehicle “hot pursuits.” Innocent victims can be injured or killed when fast cars lose control and crash.

But limiting police pursuit of perps to just violent crimes means that everything else is a get-out-of-jail free card. It lets criminals know that for crimes where police pursuit is illegal, all they must do is drive off and the police will not follow them. What greater incentive could there be to commit crimes than knowing that even if you get caught, you can’t be chased or captured?

However, there is a simple alternative to vehicle pursuit of criminals: Just use GPS trackers that can be fired from the grill of a police car and will stick to the back of fleeing vehicles. Police can then back off and follow the perps on a computer screen with no need to chase and physically keep track of where they go. This way nobody needs to drive fast, and safety is maximized.

Such systems exist (check the internet), and I believe one is currently being tested somewhere in Puget Sound. This sort of system should be the optimal focus of legislation (SB 5352) to make pursuit of criminals safer, better and easier. Do not force police to risk harm by chasing criminals in cars and especially don’t handcuff them with pursuit rules that probably confuse and anger them.

If the cost of such GPS systems is high, just ask what the cost of one innocent, human life is.

Steve Shanewise, Olympia

Thurston County diversity plans still pending

Thank you for your March 5 article regarding Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) developing a racial equity action plan. The Thurston League of Women Voters (LWVTC) is on record as being very supportive of local jurisdictions in their efforts to focus on racial equity. The League is also aware that there is not always full news coverage of such activities.

Last week LWVTC expressed concern to Ramiro Chavez, County Manager. and the BoCC about the precipitous departure of Nicole Miller, the Racial Equity Program Manager. When asked about implications for the County’s commitment to racial equity, Mr. Chavez indicated that “the County remains committed to the continued work outlined in the proclamation.”

We hope that the County and all entities with racial equity councils or commissions implement hiring policies and practices that encourage BIPOC individuals to be hired and retained, especially considering this is one of the stated reasons the BoCC formed the Racial Equity Commission. We anticipate that foundational work already done will contribute to the development of an action plan that can be presented to the BoCC before long.

Thank you again for a story that underscores why local journalism matters.

Darlene Hein, President of the League of Women Voters of Thurston County

Committed to reducing climate pollution

As I was driving home from a ski trip last weekend, the massive burn area along U.S. Route 2 from September’s Bolt Creek fire was a stark reminder that Washingtonians are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.

But we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fund climate action that could make tangible impacts in the homes and communities of Washingtonians, allowing our state to cut critical levels of carbon emissions.

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is a landmark policy passed in 2021 that caps climate pollution and makes polluters pay for their emissions. The law went into effect Jan. 1. The legislature is now debating how to spend the funds generated. In the early years, forecasts predict that the CCA will bring in nearly $1 billion per year for climate solutions in the state.

The list of proposals that could become realities because of the CCA is exciting and hopeful: $46 million to help Washingtonians make their homes more energy efficient and transition to less polluting appliances, $4.3 million to help small businesses transition from gas to electric cooking, $130 million for vouchers for zero-emission medium-sized and heavy-duty trucks. There are dozens more.

We must use CCA funds as intended: for projects that support solutions that get us closer to meeting our climate pollution reduction goals. This is a historic opportunity, let’s not leave it on the table.

Pamela Clough, Steilacoom