Letters: Authorities shouldn't have killed the bear
Authorities shouldn't have killed the bear
I'm sure I'm one of many who are horrified that a bear was killed rather than sedated and moved. The police need education on appropriate reactions to wildlife. Knee-jerk reactions to danger are in themselves dangerous and in this case unnecessary and cruel.
Katherine Allan, Wellington
Royal Palm Beach bear no affable Yogi
I grew up in a farm surrounded by wildlife. To say a black bear is never dangerous to humans is not accurate. The bear in Royal Palm Beach was going through our neighborhood and would not spook; I witnessed it live. PBSO followed and contained the bear for over four hours. Numerous attempts to get tranquillizing tools were unsuccessful. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was on scene, and they didn’t have tranquillizing abilities. None was readily available, I was told.
I’m sad the bear was destroyed but as a resident where the bear was roaming for hours, I do not condemn sheriff's deputies for putting public safety first. Better the bear be destroyed than a person or pet be attacked or killed. Royal Palm Beach is a high density community. It’s not the Acreage or Jupiter Farms, where wooded areas are more abundant. My advice? Get FWC more tranquilizer tools to be readily available.
Pam Traxler, Royal Palm Beach
Land bank the Ag Reserve
In 1990 our representatives put to a vote a referendum intended as a safeguard against undue development and destructive practices in the Agriculture Reserve. Thirty-two years and much construction later, we’re here begging our representatives to respect the referendum put in place all those years ago.
Perhaps it’s time to resolve this once and for all. I suggest putting in place a Land Bank that sets aside certain parcels of land for neighborhood use and benefit. Twenty-five states have functioning, successful land banks, including the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts that requires buyers to contribute 2% of the purchase price of their home to the land bank. We are currently enjoying a real estate boom, and would be able to secure a sizable reserve in no time. Such protections will help ensure that our neighbors, children, and grandchildren are able to live in the same wonderful community we’ve had the privilege of enjoying.
Jeannie Yermes, Boynton Beach
Salerno column all over the place
Reading the article by Gerald Salerno on American’s preconceptions is like trying to determine the time of day by looking at a watch that exploded after being thrown against a wall. First Mr. Salerno goes after Mr. Leonard Pitts because Mr. Pitts says hurtful things about people who hide behind racist code language. Then Mr. Salerno does a sideways slam against Mr. Biden on gas prices. Finally Mr. Salerno whines about how Trump supporters have been mistreated. Mr. Salerno needs to read a lot more of James Joyce’s material before Mr. Salerno attempts another stream-of-consciousness effort.
J. Brad Peebles, North Palm Beach
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Bear in Royal Palm Beach should have been tranquilized, not shot dead
