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Letters on church security, VA medical care, texting while driving

Longview News-Journal - 11/19/2017

Blessed by the VA

The family of Mack H. Camp wishes to thank the Veterans Administration medical program for excellent care. Our loved one left his earthly home on Oct. 25. For the last 30 years Mack received the compassionate attention from the VA hospital in Shreveport and our local clinic. He was always thankful for the outstanding service rendered.

We are so blessed to have this program in our community.

Lynn Camp, Longview (for the family of Mack H. Camp)

False security

In "Area churches review security" by Megan Hix (news story, Nov. 7), it was noted that in one church "several members who have concealed handgun licenses and bring firearms to church in case of active-shooter situation" and " I think the (guns) bring a sense of comfort to our church."

Don't let having people with handguns instill a false sense of security.

Licensed handgun owners, sports shooters and gun collectors do not necessarily qualify someone to be part of a safety team. If an active shooter team hasn't had proper training, they can be just as dangerous as the aggressor. How many other people in the church are armed? Do they all stand up at once and start shooting? Does the law enforcement officer or first responder know who the "good guys" are?

A church is doing a disservice, not to mention possible legal issues, to allow volunteers to place themselves in the way of possible harm without training.

I have more than 10 years of experience in church security, attended at least seven church safety seminars and hold a private security license.

Skip Jenkins, Longview

Broaden the ban

I would like to express my concern over the inadequacy of the Texas ban on texting and driving (news story, Sept. 1). The original purpose of the law is to deter motorists from distracted driving that often leads to unnecessary injuries and deaths.

However, the law only involves texting and does not include other types of cellphone activity such as using GPS navigation or music apps, dialing phone numbers and talking on the phone - all of which contribute to distraction.

Gov. Greg Abbott left cities free to pass their own hands-free laws, and so far 45 Texas cities have established stricter cellphones laws that restrict drivers from any hand-held use of cellphones while driving. Sadly, Longview has yet to adopt these more stringent laws.

Any type of cellphone use that requires the driver's attention - even for a short period of time - needs to be prohibited since resulting distractions can delay response time or cause veering into oncoming traffic.

Citizens of Longview need to petition city officials to adopt a stricter version of the cellphone ban. A call to action is necessary to prevent any more unnecessary deaths or injuries caused by distracted driving.

Jennifer DeGrasse, Longview

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