Wednesday’s letters: Snow plows only made neighborhoods worse

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Leave the residential roads alone except for sanding at intersections that get very icy and clearing the corners with smaller plows so that crossing the road is easy and safe. That has the added benefit that the drains are open as well for meltwater to run off, with the result that sidewalks will not become ice rinks.

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My neighborhood was fine until the plows came through. After that, it was almost impossible to walk my dog ​​safely and like my neighbours, we often had walking on the street as the only option. I definitely don’t need a repeat of last winter’s snow removal experience. The city should have a hotline to report real trouble spots that will receive service if needed.

Karin Fodor, Edmonton

Discipline not the issue for police union

Re. “Police unions should consider public interest,” Temitope Oriola, April 21

Prof. Oriola drew a line from Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) officers being suspended, in relation to an investigation regarding their response to a call for service, and a vote of confidence on the chief of police. The professor said that the union had a 95-per-cent non-confidence vote on the chief “arguably in whole or partly due to the decision of the chief to suspend the two officers.” The professor went on to imply that the union is against any disciplinary measures.

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I just want to set the record straight. June 2020, there was a vote of confidence on our chief; at that point, 71 per cent had no confidence in the chief. In the interim, our chief has been unable to adapt his management style to him in a way that would increase the confidence of our membership.

It is true that the members have been disappointed by comments the chief has made on behalf of the police service, not just in response to the Feb. 10 incident, but other times as well. But for clarity’s sake, the vote of confidence was held on March 3, and the members were suspended March 10.

There are many issues which led to the recent vote of confidence, primarily some of his decisions, and also the declining mental health of our members, which are a result of his decisions. Discipline, however, is not driving the issue. I won’t comment on the current investigation as it is ongoing, but the union understands the need for transparency in policing and support the public complaints commission and their role in ensuring that transparency.

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If the professor wants to make a statement regarding police accountability, I don’t think he should be using our officers as an example, as there has been nothing to support that we are against such accountability.

Josh Peterson, president, Prince Albert Police Association

Council doing nothing about transit center safety

It has now become clear that Edmonton transit centers are totally unsafe. They have now become “crack central” and pot-smoking establishments. Security in these places are a total joke, a waste of taxpayers money. I would love to know how much the city is paying for such inept security.

Our city council is doing absolutely nothing to make these areas safe for the fare-paying public.

Joyce Lupkoski, Edmonton

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