TNT letters: A win for public safety; remembering John Clayton; too much crime coverage

Bipartisan public safety

As a state representative, one of my top priorities is making sure families in the 25th District and across Washington are safe in their homes and communities. During this year’s legislative session, the issue of public safety rightfully dominated much of the conversation, with House Republicans making it one of our four core priorities. We worked hard to fix last year’s disastrous “police reform” bills and pass legislation to help law enforcement more effectively crack down on criminal activity.

If it feels like crime has gotten out of control, that’s because in many areas it has. Take auto thefts, for example, which jumped 50 percent in Pierce County last year. This is a problem that requires urgent action, which is why I sponsored a bipartisan amendment to the 2022 supplemental operating budget to provide $3.5 million for the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA). Over the years, most of the funds for WATPA have been diverted to other areas. I am confident these new funds will help law enforcement reduce the number of auto thefts we’re seeing, and hope Republicans and Democrats will continue working together in the future to crack down on crime and keep Washingtonians safe.

State Rep. Kelly Chambers, Puyallup

Remembering John Clayton

Re: “NFL writer John Clayton remembered by a co-worker and friend” (TNT, 03/21/22)

Among the out-pouring of tributes being cast nationally with the passing of legendary NFL reporter John Clayton, Bart Wright’s heartfelt commentary provides the back story of how John came to the News Tribune in 1986.

McClatchy had just purchased The News Tribune with the mandate to make the paper more prominent regionally — and, in the case of the sports section, to become prominent nationally. As Bart relates, he knew John, then working for the Pittsburgh Gazette, would be the powerhouse to lead that staff-building process. I had just been hired as sports editor and, as I recall, Bart was so enthusiastic about Managing Editor Norm Bell hiring John, he volunteered to give up his role as Seahawks reporter so that John could take over the beat.

Bart became the lead sports columnist and John brought his NFL reporting prowess and endearing personality to Tacoma. That set in motion a sequence of talented hires from across the country that produced a sports section that was nationally acclaimed for many years.

What is particularly noteworthy in the praise being deservedly cast upon John’s memory is that it is coming from those he competed against in the media and those he covered in the NFL. He was that rarest of individuals who was relentlessly competitive and, yet, the kindest person anyone could hope to meet.

I offer my condolences to John’s wife, Pat, whom he met while they were on the News Tribune sports staff. We are all fortunate that John came west 36 years ago.

Blaine Johnson, Tacoma

Crime coverage

All that seems to be posted (in The News Tribune) is crime and more crime. Truly there has to be something else going on in Tacoma. What about local businesses? Something must be going on that is positive.

Find something. This is getting toxic and is feeding more crime.

Patricia Holmes, University Place