To the editor,

More questions than answers on what is going on with law enforcement and government in general. As a former county board member, addressing the jail have red flags everywhere. I was elected in my early 20s in 2000.  I was even considered being hired as a DA investigator for a neighboring county because of my knowledge of science and my pursuit for the truth and justice.

At the request of a 4-H parent, we viewed "What happened to you? Conversation on trauma, resilience and healing" by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. It was eye opening. I also watched "Damage Done" which is an expose' on law enforcement, mental health and addiction. The common theme they have is that the current policies are not working and are making things worse. It's about Policing for Profit. That's wrong!

I'm noticing unaddressed trauma and how it affects people. I believe that we need to look for the truth before jumping to conclusions or worse yet, acting on false information based on old thinking that is no longer working. We also have too many people who hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe. The lack of addressing mental health is leading to many of the problems we are dealing with today.

Building a new courthouse is “using the with the same thinking that created those problems.” Famous words by Albert Einstein who was Neurodivergent. Unfortunately, Einstein would be the target of those who in power can't handle people Neurodivergent. Our thinking needs to change.

I'm not anti-government but anti-bad government policies. I see the current law enforcement and legal system as being bad for the people and the community. We need policies and education systems that address the source of the problem, not the symptoms.

John Shafer

Spring Valley