Altercation over parking spot didn’t need to end in death: Readers sound off

Letter to the editor: 

I am a 70-year-old white guy who is proud to have a police officer as a son-in-law. And I am writing to express my outrage over the killing of Markeis McGlockton in Clearwater, Florida. 

It is obvious in the video that Michael Drejka is spoiling for a fight as he gets out of his vehicle and confronts McGlockton’s girlfriend, Brittany Jacobs, for parking in a handicap spot. Then, we see McGlockton come out of the store intent on defending the mother of his child. He does shove Drejka. But after Drejka pulls his concealed weapon, McGlockton can clearly be seen backing away. The altercation should have been over. 

It was wrong for Jacobs to park in a handicap spot and for McGlockton to push Drejka. But neither of those offenses is punishable by death. And what if Jacobs had a gun and shot Drejka? She had reason to fear for her life. Would Florida’s “stand your ground” law be applied equally?

All lives matter. But I am most concerned for that 5-year-old boy who suddenly found himself watching his father get shot in front of a convenience store in Clearwater.

Bill Hellams; Oklahoma City

More:People of color are paying the price for 'stand your ground' laws: Talker

‘Stand your ground’ is not an excuse to kill

Letter to the editor: 

As a holder of a concealed-carry permit, I disagree with the defense in the recent shooting of Markeis McGlockton in Clearwater, Florida, over a handicapped parking spot. As part of the requirement to qualify for the permit, some fairly rigorous education by qualified individuals must take place. In the course I took, we were told that “stand your ground” must be “defense in kind.” If someone pushes you, you get to push back. You must be faced with “deadly force” to respond with “deadly force.” In addition, the shooter cannot have acted in any way to provoke the confrontation. Based on the video that is circulating, shooter Michael Drejka was clearly not in danger of losing his life when he chose to take a life and I think that Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri needs some education on the subject of “stand your ground”. The education given to most “concealed carry” individuals is intended to make them less likely to use deadly force.

Brad Skiba; DeWitt, Mich.

Baltimore police is making progress

USA TODAY’s article “Baltimore police stopped noticing crime after Freddie Gray’s death. A wave of killings followed” failed to report that, for more than a year, the Baltimore Police Department has been engaged with the Justice Department and a court-appointed monitoring team to help reform the department. This process will allow Baltimore city police officers to fight crime more effectively than ever before and, at the same time, vigorously protect the constitutional rights of the people we serve. 

I’m proud to report that our efforts are already yielding significant results. As a result of better training, an improved relationship with the community and an increased focus on repeat violent criminals, crime has decreased in virtually every major category so far this year compared to last: homicides are down 19 percent, burglaries are down 28 percent, robberies are down 18 percent and total violent crime is down 16 percent. Perhaps of equal importance, complaints filed by residents for excessive force and discourtesy have both declined, as well — by 22 percent and 39 percent, respectively, per our count.

More:Baltimore police stopped noticing crime after Freddie Gray's death. A wave of killings followed.

Mayor Catherine Pugh and I are very much aware that there is still much work to be done in terms of reducing crime and creating a culture within the police department that fully reflects our commitment to community-based, constitutional policing. But make no mistake: We are making progress — and for that reason, I am certain that Baltimore’s best days are ahead of us. 

Gary Tuggle, interim commissioner of the Baltimore City Police Department; Baltimore

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