Clark County has many wonderful attributes — physical beauty, hard-working residents, schools growing the next generation of good citizens and more. But we have serious problems regarding law enforcement.
Since November 2018 when the citizen initiative “De-escalate Washington” passed, 10 individuals have lost their lives to police or sheriff’s deputies here. Nearly all were persons of color or someone in a mental health crisis. Others have been subjected to nonlethal police uses of force. There are many inequities in law enforcement.
In April, you read my letter to the editor outlining qualities I expect in a new Vancouver chief of police: Is committed to equal justice for all, is fair and accountable, is a tough negotiator with unions, uses community suggestions, has a squeaky clean record, manages officer misconduct well, values human lives, and ensures de-escalation.
For county sheriff we need the same plus care in administrating the county jail.
In August, we vote in a primary election to choose two candidates for a November general election. Let’s be careful who we choose. Let’s widen the pool from the three announced candidates.
Candidates may file May 16-20 at the Clark County Elections Office. Consider this opportunity.
