There is an urgent issue regarding the security of police and the public that requires the attention of state legislators.
South Carolina has not implemented the essential and thorough training required for new officers.
Last year, The Post and Courier published several articles addressing the practice of allowing non-certified police to patrol and carry weapons due to the accumulation of training space at the SC Criminal Academy.
It is inexcusable that the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving state and local police departments do not have adequate facilities and essential training.
The addition of video-based classes is not a substitute for face-to-face training time at the gym.
The national average for police training is 22 weeks; however, South Carolina requires only 12 weeks.
Our officers deserve the absolute best training, including continuing training, to protect themselves and the citizens.
The issue of training and more training facilities should be the legislature’s priority, not adding more weapons on the streets, like the next vote for the open firearms bill.
ENO CLEVERINGA
Grove Lane
Daniel Island
Help restore the park
I was sad to read about the Asian beetle infestation in Stono River County Park, which caused the destruction of many trees.
While reading the article, I had an idea to help with the restoration project.
Perhaps the public can buy trees in honor of or in memory of someone, or in honor of special events.
The park is a natural beauty and this would be a way for residents to contribute to its renovation and allow our memories to live there.
PHILLIS MAIR
Backwater Court
Charleston
Mail delivery cut
The February 19 editorial on Post Office financing made me wonder why we really need mail delivery at home six days a week in 2021.
Would receiving mail every other day or three times a week seriously bother people in today’s society?
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal of May 1, 2019, “Since 2007, the total volume of mailings in the U.S. has decreased 31% to 146 million pieces, including a 41% drop in first-class mail, your product. more profitable ”.
It’s easy to see why. How many times do many Americans turn to the Internet to send e-mail, pay bills or read a newspaper or magazine instead of using the post office?
How many monthly statements, publications and other communications do most of us receive electronically than we used to receive by mail?
From an “ecological” point of view of saving the Earth, Google says that postal vehicles travel 1.28 billion miles a year. I can’t conceive of a billion miles, but suppose that changing mail delivery at home to three times a week saves half a billion miles.
At 10 miles per gallon for postal delivery vehicles, that’s 50 million gallons of gas a year.
In the same article in the Wall Street Journal, the postmaster general said that reducing mail delivery to five days a week could save $ 2 billion.
Perhaps it is time to ask Congress to review the delivery of correspondence.
BOB KUNES
Church Street
Charleston
Mobile voting works
Congratulations to the members of the Charleston County Electoral Council and the team for placing the new mobile voting unit in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot in Hollywood.
This is a great demonstration of the board and team’s commitment to an accessible electoral process.
I voted in the Hollywood municipal elections on Monday using the new mobile unit.
Election officials were informed, helpful and courteous. The process was fast, efficient and armed for social distancing.
I encourage the expansion of the use of mobile units.
ALLEN O’NEAL
Stablegate Lane
Hollywood
A new team name?
Recently, watching a video of the Washington Football Team losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I started to think about what would be a good name for the team.
I read that some fans want a name that starts with “R”, like Redhawks, Redwolves or Redhogs.
As the National Football League has a large number of African American players, I think “Freedom” would be a good name. Better yet, to include all races, “Free Men” may be a better choice.
The team could maintain the team’s colors: burgundy, representing the blood sacrificed for freedom; white, for equality; gold, as a national treasure spent to promote freedom around the world; and black, added to represent the contribution of African Americans to the cause of individual rights.
Save the free men.
Save the victory
Brave men going to war
Fighting for freedom
GARY KNIGHT
Old State Road
Holly hill
Save school
The Star of America Motel, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, is expected to be restored as a symbol of the postwar commercial development of the area, according to an article in the February 19 Post and Courier.
The Johns Island Walnut Hill Schoolhouse, which was built in 1868 by Freedman’s Bureau to educate formerly enslaved blacks, also deserves to be saved.
The school cannot be added to the National Register because it has been moved to save it from destruction. The owners propose to renovate it as a cafe, an educational exhibition and bathrooms to serve a mini golf course.
The renewal proposal will be heard by the Charleston County Planning Commission on March 8.
This building must not lose its integrity and history. It needs to be restored as a symbol of a shared heritage.
LOUISE BENNETT
Betsy Kerrison Parkway
Johns Island