Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

More non-lethal options needed

When I saw Mike Enos’ letter in The Bee on July 10 about non-lethal ammo I immediately recalled the video of the officer drawing his gun as he leaned over a man who was all but in the officer’s lap as both were on the ground in front of a car in Baton Rouge, La.

I immediately thought, why a gun at this close range? Why not pepper spray attached to the belt loop in front of the holster, or a small Taser-like gadget attached to the pant leg, easy to reach in that tight situation? Anything that could give the officer a quick choice of the options literally at hand?

Georgia Vercoe, Fresno

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 3:38 PM with the headline "More non-lethal options needed."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER