… Crime trends: What the numbers show

Definitely an amazing amount of research. But the trend it shows is disturbing, especially since both Concord and Kannapolis have lower (numbers) yet have similar challenges to Salisbury (including I-85 and the traveling crime that Chief Collins references).

— Eric Shock

I suspect the crime rate in recent years has less to do with the quality of law enforcement and more to do with our lack of economic recovery under “tea party” rule. LEOS generally get paid much less in Rowan/Salisbury than Cabarrus/Concord/Kannapolis. Wonder what we could do if we took the $20 million we are going to waste on Jim Sides’ mall and put it into law enforcement numbers, salaries and training?

Not just a “Salisbury Problem.” … FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports for … 2013 shows Cabarrus County with 33 violent crimes and Rowan with 138

— Todd Paris

… Body cameras and tip lines among tools for fighting crime

As a criminal defense attorney, I hope that more police agencies adopt the use of body cameras. In my opinion, the benefits of the cameras outweigh the negatives for many reasons including those you have detailed but also for officer safety, reduction of the use of excessive force by law enforcement (as was determined in a 12 month Rialto, Calif., study), and from my perspective substantially improving judicial / court efficiency.

From my experience, when I am provided audio/video it normally solidifies my recommendation to my client one way or another. The video is a neutral and detached witness to events that on some occasions need not be litigated once the video is reviewed. The video does not forget what happened months or even years earlier.

— Jon Welborn

… Letter: Crime raises questions

Though I’m not the biggest fan of Chief Collins, Chief Collins is not the total blame. The biggest blame rests on the shoulders of the mayor and City Council for not allowing Chief Collins to do his job.

Then you have the so-called community organizers butting in and stirring up trouble. Let the chief and the department do their job. Overall, the Salisbury community is at fault. Instead of faulting the police, try helping the police.

— Karey Clark

The experienced officers have left due to his vindictive type of leadership. The past and current officers are afraid “to do their job” for fear they will irritate the chief and be the next on his hit list. The best thing for the officers would be new leadership.

— Jody Vail

I’m an experienced officer and I haven’t left. I’m also a current employee and I’m not afraid to do my job. The key is to do your job and do it right. No need for worry about a “hit list.”

I will also say that there are many good veteran officers at the Salisbury Police Department and numerous other agencies that serve this profession well, and I am proud to serve alongside all of them.

And by the way, how can you speak for us, more specifically me, when you say the best thing for the officers is new leadership. How do you know what’s best for me?

— J.P. Miller

… City Council approves government services for mall …

Thank you, Mayor Paul Woodson, for looking out for me as a Salisbury citizen, BUT why didn’t you and your cohorts of civil servants approve the mall purchase and the proposed usage by the county, months ago?

I think the city council’s No. 1 priority is creating bike lanes and making it more difficult for drivers to maneuver the streets of Salisbury.

— Glenda Kearns

Thank you, Greg Edds and County Planning Director Ed Muire, for providing the voice of reason and possibly leading this huge investment to become something more than a source of contention. Smart buy or not, it is done. Time to make “chicken salad.” Let’s get moving.

— Jane Lackey

Why the change all of a sudden? Hidden agenda, backroom deals, you get this if we get that? How much will it cost? How big of a tax? Property or sales tax? Maybe a luxury tax. How much are we losing in sales/property tax now that this structure belongs to the county?

— Mark Lyerly

… Letter: Students not getting help that law mandates

Tristan Spitler makes valid observations about the obligations of public schools in regard to special education. However, while equipment can be ordered and delivered, teachers cannot.

During my years as a principal, there were many times when there were NO qualified applicants for open positions in Exceptional Children, Math and Science.

With the changes negatively affecting teachers coming from Raleigh in the last few years, look for teacher shortages in all curricular areas. You can’t hire who you can’t find.

— Ron Turbyfill

….Series on Rowan County Animal Shelter

I hope more people in our community will see the positive changes and reach out to work with the shelter staff and help the animals. Thank you, Josh (Bergeron) and Salisbury Post, for taking the time to visit our shelter and talk to the staff.

The more people we can involve in some way, the brighter the future for our shelter animals. It will take all of us to make the changes we all want to see.

— Nina Dix

Incredible people, incredible experience, all working so hard for the health and well-being of God’s creatures.

Cannot thank the Rowan County Animal Shelter and Nina Dix enough for all of the good that they do. Please have the eyes to see the positive, and the negative will always diminish.

— Ann Marie Bourque

I saw my dog online and decided to adopt him… The rescue group pulled him for me, had him vetted and facilitated his flight from N.C. to Minnesota! And now Fridaythedog is part of my family and he even likes snow! Rescue matters!

— Sarah Nunn

I am the admin of Friends of Rowan County Animal Shelter and have photographed the shelter’s highly adoptable animals for the past three years. I want to say thank you to the community and the rescue groups for stepping up and helping these animals.

Without you guys, we would still be at a high euthanasia rate, no distemper/parvo vaccines on intake, no vet tech, the gas chamber would still be used, no new cat facility about to be built…the list goes on.

— Candace Terry

I am so very thankful for all the people that help the shelter in so many ways. Many individuals share pictures, bring donations, come to visit the animals, arrange pickup, fostering, vetting, and transport for many of our animals that would not make it out without them.

…There is nothing better than earning the trust of a scared animal and getting the first paw shake or kiss from an animal that has never been shown true love. Thank you all for your hard work as our volunteers; without each and every one of you it would not be possible to have so many happy endings.

— Jamie Stivers

Thank you, Josh, for the article. This proves that through rescue, adoption, foster and better health care we can reduce the numbers of animals euthanized.

Thank you to all that make this possible —Friends of Rowan County Animal Shelter, Rescue Rowan, Fix Rowan … and many individuals. I’m sure there are many, many, many more. … A volunteer program would be invaluable to the shelter, employees and animals.

— Tracy Waugh