After rail stabbing, Charlotte must ask if it’s doing all it can to protect women | Opinion
Following Iryna Zarutska’s killing at Charlotte’s light rail station, calls have come for increased security on public transit. This is clearly necessary, but we should look at the larger issue: Do women in Charlotte feel safe?
Many, if not most, women have one of “those” stories. A story about an uncomfortable or dangerous encounter. We have all been harassed, approached, followed or attacked at some point. Just look at social media. Countless videos posted by Charlotte women warning others to avoid certain places have gone viral.
This is dismissed as an unfortunate fact of life for women, but last week, we saw what it can escalate to. We shouldn’t be waiting until someone is dead to take action. Women’s safety needs to be a priority in Charlotte. It’s unacceptable that we’re scared to shop, run on the greenway or do things alone.
Charlotte needs safer public transit. That is just the tip of the iceberg. What other actions are going to be taken in the wake of Friday’s tragedy? How are we going to create a safer city?
Emma Hynek, Charlotte
Occupying cities
For those of you who might have missed it, Donald Trump’s military has now occupied Washington D.C. like he did Los Angeles. He is now contemplating Chicago. If you don’t fear this move, you are naive.
Albert Dancy, Charlotte
Charlotte bugs
While Charlotte was ranked the 7th “buggiest” U.S. city, many insect populations in North Carolina are rapidly declining as our climate changes. Charlotte is no exception. We face more frequent heatwaves, heavier and more intense rainfall, warmer winters with little snow and greater drought risk.
Some insects are struggling under these conditions as evidenced by dramatic pollinator loss that are critical for agriculture. Biodiversity is also loss from endanger birds reliant on insects. In contrast, insects like Mosquitos and ticks will thrive as their active season extends, increasing our risk of malaria and lime disease. Climate change is a direct threat to our health, food supply, and well-being. The time to act is now.
Sandra O’Neill, Cornelius
Reducing crime
Further reducing crime involves tackling root causes; poverty, learned behaviors, easy gun access. Donald Trump lacks the attention span and patience for that. The flashy, attention-grabbing stunts he initiates keeps the focus on him and solve nothing long-term.
We need a serious president and Congress, in coordination with states and municipalities, to examine the root causes and provide real solutions that address them. Then, let our local police do the enforcement and our courts prosecute the criminals. If we need more resources, take the millions of our tax dollars Trump is wasting on militarizing our streets and turn it back to the states to hire more police, DA’s and judges.
Lee Fluke, Charlotte
Friday nights
It’s great UNC-Charlotte and Appalachian State are playing each other in Bank of America Stadium. Hopefully, they will continue to play and build the rivalry.
However, playing on the second Friday night of high school football season takes away the focus and possibly fans who would normally see our local high school players represent their schools and areas on football fields across Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
I’m old school. Please leave Friday nights for our high schools, their players, fans, and coaches.
Claude Underwood, Charlotte
Republican socialist?
Socialism had been, until now, anathema for Republicans. A key feature of socialism is government ownership of “means of production.” In yet another act of extortion, the president called for the Intel CEO to resign. Now, Intel is giving a 10% ownership stake to the federal government, thus putting the public sector into the chip making business. The silence from the Republican “coward caucuses” on Capitol Hill is deafening.
Jim Witeck, Charlotte