Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
It was a shock when I learned that Fred Ettleman was murdered in the parking lot of a store where my family frequently shops. I understand you and others want information from the Pueblo Police Department. I understand you’re frustrated with the scarcity of information.
If I may, I’d like to present a different perspective based on a 29 year career in law enforcement. Admittedly, I have not researched the latest statistical trends and confess my data may be aged. Homicide is one of seven crimes the Department of Justice tracks to compute crime rates across jurisdictions nationwide. The thinking is that such crimes are most likely to be reported though that is not necessarily the case. The rates are generally presented based on population so one can compare Pueblo with Chicago, Denver, or Portland, etc.
The police will, in my experience, limit the amount information they release before the investigation is completed. They do not want the suspect alerted about the specifics of the investigation or how close authorities are to making an arrest. Some information, know by the police, may never be published to prohibit an individual from confessing to a crime they’ve only read about in the local paper. Yes, there are folks who do that for reasons beyond our comprehension.
Of the seven major crimes mentioned earlier, homicide is the most likely to be solved compared to the other six. The majority of homicides are solved within the first 24hours. After that initial period, solvability is reduced with each passing day. In the majority of cases, the victim and attacker are acquainted.
I knew and worked with Fred. Like you, I want his attacker(s) brought to justice, There are a ton of rumors floating around the valley about circumstances surrounding his death. Again, based on my experience, I’d be skeptical of any information that does not come directly from Pueblo Police Department.
In the interim, maybe we could allow the professional men and women of the Pueblo Police Department the opportunity to do their job as safely and efficiently as possible. Perhaps, we could even lift them in prayer as they do so. Just one thought.
Wallace Rice
Letter to the Editor
I could write a novel.....
1. Fire your entire staff and advertise for some competent people. It's harder than you think. :) 2. The problem you describe at the State level also happens at the Fed level - though better monitored by some meda - but, more importantly, this happens at the City and County levels at the same volume and it's covered by virtually no one. This forces those of us with staffs similar to yours, to behave in a reactionary manner rather than pro-active when the legislation is introduced.
We find out about it only after its enacted, new staff to enforce it hired, and letters received informing us that we are somehow out of compliance and subject to fines and closure. You need only check the 'Chaffee County STR' group on FB to get a taste of one of the issues.
Our County government (Chaffee) is over 10 times the size it was 20 years ago and we process no more developments or permits than we did then. They want to add a $12M wing to the courthouse to hold all the additional staff needed to oversee the sea of regulations passed in that time. None of them (staff or regulations) benefit any of us but made some group or organization feel good at the time it was passed.
Like him or hate him, Trump decreed that for every regulation passed, three would have to be removed. He greatly reduced the regulatory burden in the U.S. and, in so doing, began an economic renaissance that was cut way too short by the Plague and then Uncle Joe.
I'm rambling and it's past time to stop. Love your weekly insights. Keep 'em coming.
Walt Harder
Letters must contain appropriate language and focus on issues rather than individuals, must be signed and no longer than 350 words in length. Limit two letters per month per writer. The View editorial staff reserves the right not to publish any letter deemed offensive, or malicious.
Submit letters to: editor@greenhornvalleyview.com
