LETTERS WE LIKE
Mark McCrory, Chief of Police, City of Casa Grande - June 13, 2020
After living here for over four years, I still get asked, “Why Casa Grande?” My answer has always been and will remain: “It is the people.” The officers and city employees I work with and the people who make up the Casa Grande community are special.
This was never more apparent than the past week. While other communities across the nation dealt with riots, looting and clashes between community members and police, our community remained calm.
We had lawful protests every evening where citizens were able to express their opinions without incident. We had daily communication between event organizers and members of our department. Demonstrations were held in an environment where there were no incidents, arrests or citations issued. This was possible because of the cooperation between officers and protest organizers, for which I am grateful.
These past few months have challenged us all. From COVID-19 to the recent demonstrations, our citizens have reacted responsibly and with a sense of community. This cooperation included a willingness to have honest dialogue between community members and members of our department. I believe these challenges set the stage for continued progress and positive change. Our organization is prepared to maintain this dialogue and embrace the positive outcomes ahead of us.
As I routinely remind my officers, I believe we are a family-first community. Our joint success with the citizens we serve must be built upon the same values as any healthy family: Trust, Respect, Compassion, Responsibility and Accountability. Recently, we have seen what communication and cooperation can do for a community. We must remember what recent events have taught us, transferring those lessons into practice, and elevating Casa Grande in the process.
Mark McCrory - Chief of Police, City of Casa Grande
Jeannie Marshall - June 11, 2020
I think it is important to speak up on an issue that is being distorted and used intentionally for divisive purposes. It begins with a misleading term, prominently displayed in the marches and demonstrations, stemming from the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers. Among the messages calling for social justice there were signs advocating “Defund the Police.” There is a growing movement, advocating reform and reinventing how community and local policing is organized.
I strongly support local law enforcement. I also recognize that there is a disturbing history across this country where abuse and unnecessary force is well documented. In addition to the need to address racial bias, police brutality and use of deadly force across this country, it is also necessary to de-construct and re-align departments to address underlying social issues. Let’s not turn away from this opportunity for positive change. We can and should aspire to do better and be better.
We could interweave law enforcement with drug intervention specialists, mental health and social work professionals, resource personnel to assist homeless persons with food, shelter and employment opportunities, homeless youth and gang intervention specialists. These resource specialists would not displace officers. They would work cooperatively in the best interest of victims, perpetrators and the community. Such a partnership would allow officers to pursue serious criminal matters and to go after those who pose a threat to the community, themselves or others.
The current and costly focus on incarceration could be greatly reduced by shifting the focus to an outreach, hand-up, second chance approach. If there are any questions about scene security, officers could respond in coordination with other professionals.
Such reform would be life changing for many, supportive of family unit cohesiveness rather than separation, and redeeming for those who are given an alternative to incarceration.
Jeannie Marshall - Casa Grande
