Letters: Police violence must stop; Thank — and help — waste and recycling workers
Police violence must stop
During my time as a summer camp counselor and community band member, I have been fortunate to work alongside and befriend many police officers. My friends taught me that it was their duty to protect and serve their communities both on and off “The Job,” which is why I met so many of them volunteering at my local summer camp and community band. Therefore, I am saddened and enraged to see the violence and brutality our country’s police forces are enacting on American citizens. From the police killings of Michael Brown, to Osaze Osagie here in State College, to George Floyd, and then the use of tear gas against Americans protesting those deaths under the First Amendment, police violence must stop.
Police officers are ultimately employees of the communities they serve. To put an end to police violence, we must engage with our local governments. First, in 2021 we must elect sheriffs and city council members who will prevent and expel racism from our police departments. Second, we must vote for district attorneys who will hold police officers accountable by prosecuting them for any crimes they commit while in uniform. Third, we must demilitarize our police forces and implement more restrictive use of force policies. Fourth, individual officers must earn the respect and trust of their communities by protecting the lives of those they serve. We as community members should recognize officers for the risks they take to protect us, while holding them accountable to the highest standards.
Thank — and help — waste and recycling workers
National Waste and Recycling Workers’ Week happens annually the week of June 17. This week we are reminded recognize the contributions of and to say thank you to the men and women who process what we discard, helping to keep our community clean and safe.
And yet, refuse and recycling collection workers have the fifth-highest fatal-work injury rate in America, and this in a workforce that often remains somewhat invisible to the rest of us.
Here are a few things you can do to help create safer conditions for these essential workers:
Slow down and take extra care when passing a collection truck.
Don’t overload your cans or bags. Around here, many collectors pick up your trash by hand, and all recycling is hoisted by hand to be sorted at the truck.
Wrap any broken glass or ceramic and then place it in the trash.
Take extra care with sharp edges that could cut open bags or gloves.
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste, keeping it out of your bins and trash.
Be aware of where you park when cans are at the curb; leave room for the trucks to stop at the curb and for the collectors to get to the bins.
So if you see the folks who collect your trash or recycling this week, give them a smile, a wave, even a thumbs up to thank them for their hard work in keeping us all safe. And then return the favor.