The proposed $150 jaywalking fine is not much better than $300 and jail time. The Honorable Ann Yalman thinks it is an opportunity to educate jaywalkers when they come to her court to try to reduce the fine. It still hits students, poor people without cars — those least able to pay and without extra time for waiting at the municipal court to be educated. A smart jaywalker will plead not guilty so the case is dismissed when the officer with other priorities doesn’t show. Perhaps it would be educational enough if signs said $25 fine for jaywalking. The big fine begs for selective enforcement by the police. Jaywalking tourists will not be cited because of the potential for bad publicity for a tourist dependent town. Let law enforcement spend time on crime, not jaywalking. Aren’t their more serious issues for the city council to spend time on?

Helen Laura López

Santa Fe

A smooth walk

Thankfully the city is taking an active look at the scourge of jaywalking in Santa Fe, however did they even consider that often times these blatant lawbreaking pedestrians might just be searching for a flat and smooth piece of road on which to cross the street? Not an easy task in this town …

David Ford

Santa Fe

Keep them out

Instead of arming our teachers with guns to protect our kids in schools, we should keep the shooters out of our schools. I propose installing one-way vision, bulletproof glass doors with coded entry and metal detectors. Tampering with these doors would immediately alert teachers, school administration and the local police, as well as set off a loud alarm.

We have these devices in all of our banks, and aren’t our children more valuable than what is contained in those establishments?

If we are unable to keep weapons out of the hands of madmen, we can at least keep them out of our schools with proper security.

Don Brackett

Taos

Volunteers needed

Santa Fe residents can be proud that this city has so many volunteers who help in our essential non-profit organizations.

The Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club reading program has had wonderfully loyal volunteers over the many years who’ve helped beginning readers get a boost with their skills. One of those long-time volunteers needs to bow out starting in February.

So, now it’s time to look for a couple of people who would like to come to the Boys and Girls Club once or twice a week from 4 to 5 p.m. and enjoy working with first grade girls.

The program is held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and there are always four volunteers helping.

All books and supplies are provided and no skills beyond knowing the alphabet and the sounds of the letters are required. There’s ample and safe parking.

To help, call Lou Finley at 988-7278.

Lou Finley

Reading Program Coordinator

Santa Fe