Justice for Jaime Naranjo: If not the police, who can we call for help? | Opinion

Justice for Jaime Naranjo

" Family sues over mentally ill man's killing by Sacramento deputy ," (sacbee.com, Sept. 27)

Jaime Naranjo was having a mental health crisis and hadn't committed any crime. It's concerning and sad to read about how his family called the police to get Jaime help, yet, instead, police shot and killed him just 23 seconds into the encounter.

If not the police, who can we ask for help? Instead of using weapons right away, police officers need to be trained on how to assess situations, using the most appropriate approach, with more patience and knowledge. Losing a family member due to a sheriff's ignorance is heartbreaking.

Justice for Jaime Naranjo.

Yazmin Diaz

A different opinion

" Two Folsom council candidates ready to serve a growing city ," (sacbee.com, Sept. 25)

I was shocked by The Bee's endorsement of Jim Ortega for Folsom City Council. While The Bee highlights his law enforcement career, it neglects to include the fact that the Placerville City Council decided to remove Ortega from his position as police chief.

Ortega supports an ordinance permitting residents to sell and manufacture firearms and ammunition out of their homes — the only local jurisdiction to allow this. This is contrary to a council's responsibility to ensure safe residential neighborhoods.

He told The Bee he does not support the development south of 50. Publicly, however, he has remarked it should be studied. We should be wary of this flip-flop and, instead, follow the money: Ortega is supported by the Folsom Chamber, which is supported by developers.

By comparison, Barbara Leary's experience and success makes her the best choice for our neighborhoods and our city's future.

Cheryl Davis

" Can Donald Trump get gasoline prices under $2 a gallon? " (sacbee.com, Oct. 26)

The economy and immigration are rightly major concerns among voters, but weight needs to be given to our credibility, international image and diplomacy. What sort of clout will we carry if our leaders routinely spout exaggerations and even outright lies? How credible and reliable would our dealings with other countries be?

Inflation has gone down substantially from the previous high under the current administration and they are working to further reduce the high cost of living. The border situation is also something they are aware needs attention — to humanely stem the influx while remembering that we are indeed a nation of immigrants.

Yes, we need to remedy these conditions, but not at the cost of our honesty, civility, integrity and international relations.

Jean Sillman

Support Camp Lejeune Act

" Financial relief finally coming for Camp Lejeune toxic water victims ," (sacbee.com, Sept. 23, 2014)

I served in the Marine Corps from 1968-70, including at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

During my two years at Camp Lejeune, Marines were unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals in the groundwater that supplied the base. Every day, we drank and showered in water that was toxic and poisoning us.

Like so many others, I have suffered health problems because of Camp Lejeune. I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's that continues to progress.

Congress must pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Since the original act of 2022, the government has settled hardly any cases. The new bill would give us the right to jury trials.

Many Marines are frustrated by the government's inability to help those who served. We deserve access to the care we need. We deserve justice. I urge our congressional delegation to support the Corrections Act to deliver fair settlements.

Charles Fadel

Diamond Springs