Threats, dogs, the killing of Andy Lopez, NO ARREST, NO ELECT

I have been teaching my watch dog to perceive the difference between a real threat and one which might appear to be a threat, but is not really. Though still a puppy, she is learning. I pull her back when she goes after squirrels, and egg her on when she chases the deer and wild turkeys, who are predators on my farm.

After a decade or so in the military, including combat in Iraq, and 24 years in law enforcement, one would think that sheriff's deputy Erick Gelhaus could distinguish the difference. After dropping the boy to the ground, why pump six more shots into his body?

13-year-old Andy Lopez was no more a threat than I was playing cops and robbers with my bb gun as a boy. Gelhaus was clearly the threat, as is his training of other deputies in the Wild West "shoot first, ask questions later" and "shoot to kill" approach to neighborhood policing. We need to draw a line with Andy's unnecessary death and say "Never again. Remember Andy."

There is already enough evidence to at least arrest, jail, and prosecute Gelhaus. One of the many ongoing activities demanding justice for Andy will be a "No Arrest--No Elect" party crash at the Pasta Feed Fundraiser for the re-election of Jill Ravitch on Tues., Dec. 3 at the Santa Rosa Vets Building, 1351 Maple. Meet across the street in the parking area under HWY 12. More information on facebook.com/marchforandylopez. Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas is also up for election next year.

By the way, are you aware that a secret out-of-sight, behind-closed-doors process is apparently happening right now to decide upon a new Santa Rosa police chief? This is according to Taylor Anderson-Stevenson of the Women's Justice Center in a letter to the PD editor published Nov. 10. Why is there not more attention to this appalling lack of transparency. Apparently not even our elected City Council members are involved. Is this the way a democracy works, or signs of an emerging police state? The current chief is apparently scheduled to resign and be replaced on Dec. 20. What happened to transparency?