As I began writing this letter, I kept asking myself, “Should I? Does this concern me? What would I write?”
But the more I read articles in the paper, the answer became a clear “yes.” I could no longer stick my head in the sand, ignore a problem or refuse to think about or something unpleasant.
Although I don’t know of any family member or friend, male or female, in this situation, it still affects me.
I’m not writing this letter to be judgmental or to find fault. I don’t know who is at fault, but there appears to be a breakdown somewhere, whether it starts at the top and flows down. Is there no chain of command?
This letter is in regard to the Pike County jail situation. I cannot pinpoint any article because there were several. The fact is, I got frustrated. My mouth started dropping open in disbelief as I was reading. How did these things go on for so long without attention?
I am not taking sides because there is always two sides to a story. But there has to be some truth to the reports because inmates are being released.
Again, I can only go by what I have read in the paper. I haven’t talked with anyone. I do understand that a jail should not be a place of luxury. Should inmates be treated inhumanely?
If what I have read is true and inmates are suing, who is responsible? Why has it taken years for poor conditions, overcrowding, a lack of proper food and meals, and a lack of proper medical services to just now be addressed?
I am a concerned citizen and this does affect me. This didn’t happen overnight. I pray the truth comes out and accountability falls where it falls. Who is responsible? Will we ever know?
— Cynthia McGhee, Summit
Someone besides sheriff should direct litter cleanup
I honestly did not know it was the sheriff’s job to be responsible for litter pickup along roads in Pike County.
While this is truly a worthy cause, and needs to be addressed, I would think some folks should be more concerned with our sheriff and his real job concerning crime and criminals. After all, that is what he was elected for, or so I thought.
Don’t people who write about litter pickup, no matter how important, realize that our sheriff and his crew of dedicated and experienced officers have more to do than to supervise pickup of trash along roadsides?
I would think everyone in McComb and Pike County would consider saving lives and keeping people safe just a tad more important than trash and litter removal.
To me, litter just can’t compete with crime. We have all seen inmates along our roadways doing all they can to get rid of all the debris and litter. I thank them very much. They are not to be belittled for their help.
But why take our sheriff and his men away from their valuable jobs of saving lives, solving crimes and catching criminals by making them responsible for the removal of trash along our roads?
I just don’t think this should be our sheriff’s and our elected officials’ responsibility. If there are folks in Pike County who aren’t trying to save lives and protect all of us from the bad guys — and we know there are plenty of them around — let them get together and collect trash. There is plenty of it and that should certainly keep them busy for a while.
Start picking up trash along the roads that so many people are belly-aching about. If people don’t want to look at it, get out there and do something about it.
— Debbie Touchstone, Jayess
