Police misconduct warrants an open, impartial inquiry

Police misconduct warrants an open, impartial inquiry
EDITOR:
The Boardman Township police have placed on leave two officers pending an internal affairs investigation and a supervisory review of possible police misconduct. Acting Police Chief Patterson and the Boardman trustees owe their citizens and the Valley's news media, complete and detailed information about the pending charges and accusations. Preliminary information should be forthcoming now. A complete report on facts, findings and investigative conclusions can follow at a latter time.
This Boardman investigation and review should not be subjected to the frequently encountered police "Blue Wall of Silence." To preserve police integrity and maintain civilian trust and credibility, there should be no closed-door sessions and no suggestion of patronizing cronyism.
Most major U.S. police departments have an effective Citizens Police Review Board working with them to investigate improper police conduct and arrive at a fair and just conclusion. Would a CRPB be right for Youngstown and local police departments?
ANTHONY DeGIDIO
Youngstown
Sex and violence on TV is getting out of control
EDITOR:
I wonder if anyone else has noticed that television is getting completely out of hand. Not that the other media are any better. But, as a case in point, on Jan. 3, a program at 9 p.m. was broadcast on CBS. It is called "Criminal Minds." I personally was shocked and disgusted to witness a nearly nude woman being tortured to death on the screen.
The premise of the show seems to concern a task force whose job is to track down serial killers and other deranged felons. The message seems to be that there are crazies out there and we need to be watchful for ourselves and our loved ones, that the government is doing what it can to protect us. All of these messages are worthwhile, and I have no objection to them.
My problem is with the way the show was presented. Why was it necessary to show the poor girl being abused? Why was it necessary for us to see the videotaping of this sick act? I don't see any artistic value in it. I don't see a need for it at all. I intend to write to the local station, the network and the writers and stars of the show to register my protests. I suggest that you do the same.
Nor is that the only show that has gone way over the line of decency, ethical behavior and good taste. A partial list can include "Two and a Half Men" (which I used to watch regularly before the main characters went completely sex crazy, including the middle school aged boy), the CSI series (all of which are well written and acted, but have gone beyond the pale with semi-nudity and sexual innuendo) and "Las Vegas" (with the same plusses and problems).
I am not a prude. I am not a big fan of the concept of censorship. I do believe that the networks, executives, writers and actors can and should demand better. However, if they don't do so, it is up to us to let them know that we are unhappy with their current product. Only thus can we get things cleaned up.
RUSSELL A. NALEPA
Hubbard
More teachers, more reading
EDITOR:
Regarding a recent story about teachers presenting research at a meeting, no amount of research or fancy-sounding organizations like "The Tech Competitive Professional Grant Team" will ever improve pupil reading ability unless the classes are smaller and each pupil can get undivided individual attention.
Instead of pouring money into these workshops, why not spend that money to hire additional teachers, thereby reducing disruptive incidents due to overcrowded classrooms.
In my experience, kids love to read orally and be read to. That's universal, and we've lost it somewhere along the line.
ANNE PACHOS
Cortland