Readers sound off on preventing youth crime, the Cuomo Bridge and Shirley Chisholm

Islandia, L.I.: Long before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took office, I had spoken up in Yonkers and Philadelphia about what communities can do to reduce police violence and other injustices. We know these things happen, but DeSantis is the “Don’t Say” governor.

I was getting close to a police sergeant in Yonkers who was involved with the youth there, which to me meant gangs as well. I wanted to help those youth earn the GED, which would help Yonkers to fight crime since education matters. I spoke up that the community there should make complaints that are “fair and accurate.” Communication with that office was cut off abruptly. That is what I spoke up about in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood.

Would DeSantis be willing to allow people in his state to say something if they see something about an officer who mishandles his role? Police everywhere are asking people to say something to help them, so why not advocate for the same thing in communities in Florida? Some police are racist and some police need better training, and police who act improperly have to be singled out immediately before things escalate.

I have a relationship with police outside of New York. I do not wish to defund them, nor do I wish any harm to come to them. I want them to go home safely to their families.

I would like my message to reach police all over our nation. Martin Danenberg

Yonkers: Dear Kristie Ackert, you are definitely missed. I’m a Mets fan but I read your column for years. You are one of the best and fairest writers around. Whether you ever decide to come back to the Daily News, good luck on whatever you plan to do best. Warren Isaacs

Whitestone: So if the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge got its name from an exchange with Republicans and now they want to change the name, what happens to the hodgepodge of concessions made and benefits doled out? I say change the name and rescind all the benefits that were given. Anyone who thinks this isn’t political must have been under a rock the past few years. Refer to the bridge however you like, but leave the name Mario Cuomo, he earned the tribute! Ursula Paciullo

Campbell Hall, N.Y.: Re “Paying for those raises” (editorial, Feb. 21): The Medicare Advantage plan that the city wants to force on its retirees would require us to pay $191 per person to stay on our traditional Medicare. Most of us on fixed incomes could not afford that. I suggest that current workers start paying their fare share for their cost-free benefits. The Municipal Labor Committee does not represent the retirees and neither do the various unions, including the Police Benevolent Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association and Lieutenants Benevolent Association. When we retire we have no vote, so they could care less what happens to us. We worked long and hard for our benefits and they should not be allowed to force such a hardship on us. James C. McGovern

Bayside: There are a few facts that are necessary for your readers to understand. Union retirees are not greedy, nor do they wish to bankrupt the city. I can speak for United Federation of Teachers retirees only — all we want are the benefits we were promised when we took on the yeoman’s task of teaching (among all the other hats teachers wear, from psychologist to parent to educator). These benefits were factored into our decisions when we retired. If our health stabilization fund had not been raided by the unholy trio of Michael Mulgrew, Harry Nespoli and Henry Garrido — along with co-conspirator Bill de Blasio — to fund raises, we would not have to accept an inferior plan (none of my doctors will accept it). The mayor complains that we could save the city $600 million. Does anyone out there understand that our insurance is .6 of 1% of the NYC budget? Dale Herman

Bellerose: Gov. Hochul better wake up and realize New York is more liberal with Democrats in charge. We’re not buying the line that Hector LaSalle would have been fair and not biased and partisan if he became chief judge. That’s the same line the last three conservative Supreme Court justices fed us at their confirmation hearings, then proceeded to do the exact opposite. Enough lies and alternate truths that the right wing (their former president and the sheep in Congress) swears by. Thank you, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Suck it up, Justice Thomas F. Whelan and Sen. Anthony Palumbo — we are not buying what the right wing is selling again. Kathleen Lucas

Huntington Station, L.I.: On Wednesday night, Stephen Colbert thought it would be amusing to mock the grammar of a victim of the Ohio train derailment. Another time, Colbert brought his million-dollar team of comedy writers down on a guy who had the audacity to state that he was, in fact, a real person and not a figment of a Midwest Republican governor’s imagination. This is the worst way for progressives such as myself to present themselves. It feeds into the stereotype that we are elitist. I only watch the monologue but will give it up if Colbert continues to use his arch superiority against non-public figures who don’t have lawyers, agents and comedy writers to defend themselves. Ann Rita D’Arcy

Brooklyn: For Black History Month, I just read the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm’s memoir “Unbought and Unbossed.” It’s an amazing and frank read in which she clearly explains her thoughts about being a Black woman in the U.S., an educator and a diplomatic rebel in politics. I wonder what this Brooklyn native and representative would think about the socio-political situation we grapple with today. I wish we had more people like her in the current House of Representatives. She could be tough and demanding but mature, caring and very intelligent. Ellen Levitt

Spring Valley, N.Y.: To Voicer Ariana Solomon Girven Walker: You have to be taught. When we were young and on the bus, if a senior citizen, adult or pregnant woman got on, you had better get up and give them your seat. If a senior citizen dropped something, you picked it up for them. Manners need to be taught. Delores McDonald

Morris Plains, N.J.: To Voicer Harvey Kaplan: I agree with all that you say and have tried hard to come off Suboxone, as I know it’s not good for you. When I started I was at 16 milligrams. I have gone all the way down to just 2 milligrams a day. I have tried to eliminate it but I still get sick and nauseous if I don’t take that small amount. It’s my doctor who prescribes it to me monthly and I’m following her instructions. Maybe each person has a different reaction but it was in no way a seven- to 10-day thing for me. I was sick for six months coming off opioids. I’m being honest. I’m fine with 2 milligrams per day. It keeps me from being sick. Joe Tierney

Schenectady, N.Y.: To Voicer John Procida: I read your letter complaining about two national anthems sung at the Super Bowl, but did you also know there were two GI Bills? Meaning, white soldiers in WWll could come home from war and take advantage of the GI Bill to purchase a home. Those Black WWll soldiers you discussed who also proudly defended our country were denied the use of the GI Bill to purchase a home — look it up. That is what you should call a horrible insult, not two national anthems. Diane Hombach

Uniondale, L.I.: To Voicer James Formato: You said the answer to SNAP is to “get a job.” A lot of people work and still go hungry. At the end, you say, “C’mon man. Wake up!” Remember, Republicans want you to stay asleep with the anti-woke laws! Can’t have it both ways! Ramon Cruz