As a retired police officer and new South Bend resident, I decided to attend the May 21 Community Police Review Board meeting. It was rough. It did nothing to instill confidence in the capabilities of this board, nor dispel the notion that civilian oversight of police departments seems designed to encumber and impede just, aggressive law enforcement that cities like South Bend need to thrive.
Law enforcement is the most scrutinized profession in the country. From command staff and supervisors, courts and attorneys, to cell phone videos and mandated body cameras, there is not an occupation that has more eyes on it than being a police officer. It is troubling, then, that rather than simply allowing the processes already in place to deal with improper and/or illegal police behavior, there is a desire to add additional oversight from board members whose roles are dubious.
The men and women of the South Bend Police Department serve professionally and honorably as evidenced by the two cases the board reviewed at this meeting, which police personnel had already resolved. A better way to spend our resources and time would be in dealing with the homelessness and mental health issues on display daily downtown.
Seth King
South Bend
Silence isn’t neutral
In April, I wrote a Viewpoint published in The Tribune encouraging deeper reflection on the role of local knowledge and lived experience in shaping educational outcomes within our community.
Since then, I have reached out directly to members of the South Bend school board on more than oneoccasion in hopes of continuing that conversation. To date, I have not received a response.
But silence, too, communicates something important.
This is not about disagreement or demanding immediate answers. It is about what happens whenthoughtful concerns from community members go unacknowledged. Across education, we oftenemphasize the importance of engagement, collaboration and listening to stakeholders. Yet thetrue measure of those values is revealed not when participation is encouraged in theory, but whenvoices are actually presented in practice.
Silence is not neutral. Over time, it shapes trust, influences participation and affects whetherpeople believe their perspectives matter within the systems designed to serve them.
Meaningful educational progress requires more than policy discussions alone. It requiresintentional engagement with the communities most closely connected to the realities we seek toimprove.
Ivan Blount
South Bend
Stark differences
We have many symbols in this country that represent what we as citizens hold dear. We have songs, statues, buildings and a series of evolving flags. At many sporting events, the “Star-Spangled Banner,” or national anthem is played. If you have been watching the National Hockey League playoffs, you have also heard the Canadian national anthem.
There are stark differences in the presentations.
United States crowds have relegated the anthem to the disrespectful level of being their team’s fight song. They do this by substituting a word (usually their team’s nickname) at a particular point in the song. Most frequently it is to replace the word “brave.” Conversely, most (if not all) folks in Canadian crowds sing the entire anthem in both English and French with no high school pep rally insertions.
That patriotic passion in song is a greater display of what these kinds of symbols mean to Canadian citizens than they do to United States citizens.
Daniel A. Noss
South Bend
Prosperity shared
Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, health care, child care and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace.
Historically, federal income tax rates for top earners were much higher, sitting at 70% in 1965. Today, the top federal individual rate is 37%, and the top corporate is 21%, a significant difference from 52% in the 1960s. These massive tax cuts for the rich and corporations occurred under the Reagan, Bush and Trump administrations.
Extreme inequality weakens our democracy and undermines social trust. A healthy economy depends on a strong middle class, fair wages, affordable education and equal opportunity. America succeeds when prosperity is shared more broadly.
It is time to address wealth inequality before the divide grows even larger. Please reach out to your elected officials and demand that they increase taxation of the rich and corporations so it will be more equitable.
Jon Miller
South Bend
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Recent police review board meeting didn’t inspire confidence | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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