Letters to the Editor – The Durango Herald

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‘Share concerns about democracy surviving’

Project 2025, the GOP plan to install dictatorship during the next potential Donald Trump administration, is plenty of reason to feel overwhelmed. Hearing people applaud dictatorship out lo...

DATE: Jun 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Letters to the Editor

‘Power of voters will matter more’

Does the majority still rule? Half of Colorado is now independent, not registered with either major political party, but somehow the two parties have all the control over who gets elected. T...

DATE: Jun 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Status of’ trail from Durango to Three Springs?

Is anyone else curious as to the status of the Future Animas River Trail connecting Durango proper to the Three Springs community? As an avid cyclist and runner, I know this project will be ...

DATE: Jun 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Are ‘American citizens aware of dire situation?’

Recently, Russian President Vladmir Putin warned the West is pushing him “to the point of no return” over starting a nuclear war.“ (www.mirror.co.uk) Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons are ab...

DATE: Jun 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Self-interest at expense of our country’

In a letter on June 16, the writer ignores facts to promote false Republican talking points. He starts by describing a “war on fossil fuels.” Can he admit that carbon levels from burning fos...

DATE: Jun 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Where are the morals of people?’

Does anyone remember the song “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire? I feel that democracy is in such peril if a convicted felon gets into the White House. Where are the morals of the people...

DATE: Jun 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

City needs ‘training in diversity, tribal sovereignty’

One of the really special things about living in our area is the opportunity to interact with our multicultural neighbors. I have followed the conflict between the city of Durango and the So...

DATE: Jun 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Always about power/votes or money’

If President Joe Biden had just held up the existing laws on immigration when he was elected, there wouldn’t be a need for his executive order to finally take control of the border. But the ...

DATE: Jun 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘We are not fooled by a shill’

In reading the pro-merger stance of Scott Moses, head of grocery, pharmacy and restaurants for Solomon Partners, and who was paid to conclude this stance between Krogers and Solomon client A...

DATE: Jun 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘I walk Main, think of tourist visiting’

Recently, there have been numerous letters with opinions on the lack of parking in the general downtown Durango area. I spend quite a bit of time in Durango, and agree with most about less a...

DATE: Jun 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Shall righteousness follow in his footsteps?’

When the words of Holy Scripture become circumstantial –sometimes they apply, other times they don’t – doesn’t that diminish their authenticity as guidelines for living a better life? Quotin...

DATE: Jun 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘If Democrats win in November’

Let me prophesize what living in America will be like if the Democrats win in November. It’s not hard – past performance, actions and policy are the basis for my predications. Energy: The wa...

DATE: Jun 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Photos: Parade launches 2024 Connie Mack World Series in FarmingtonFans line street as players march on Main Damp, overcast weather cooled off the crowd lining Main Street on Friday morning for the 2024 Connie Mack World Series Parade. The hourlong parade began shortly after 10 a.m. in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Fans line street as players march on Main

Photos: ‘Mini Takes the States’ tour stops in DurangoHundreds of Mini Cooper vehicles occupy Fort Lewis College on Sunday; Participants began the journey in Albuquerque and will finish in Seattle

Hundreds of Mini Cooper vehicles occupy Fort Lewis College on Sunday; Participants began the journey in Albuquerque and will finish in Seattle

Photos: Boxing returns to DurangoAnimus on the Animas: 1st Annual Durango Boxing Classic at the Durango Main Mall on Saturday

Animus on the Animas: 1st Annual Durango Boxing Classic at the Durango Main Mall on Saturday

Photos and video: Going for the gold by devouring piesContestants try their best to win the Oscar’s Pie Eating Contest on Friday in Durango

Contestants try their best to win the Oscar’s Pie Eating Contest on Friday in Durango

Photo: Fireworks light the sky in DurangoDurango celebrates Independence Day on Thursday night

Durango celebrates Independence Day on Thursday night

Photos: Working with woodLocal craftsman uses wood joinery, rather than nails or screws to construct homes and other structures

Local craftsman uses wood joinery, rather than nails or screws to construct homes and other structures

2024 Fourth of July Parade draws crowd Thursday in downtown Durango

Photos: Downtown Durango hosts Fourth of July ParadeDowntown sidewalks were full for Thursday’s celebration

Downtown sidewalks were full for Thursday’s celebration

Durango Rotary Club, Parks and Recreation department host Independence Day events

Law enforcement conducts active threat training at Park Elementary SchoolResidents may see and hear police activity Thursday and Friday

Law enforcement agencies across Southwest Colorado sent officers to participate in active threat training this week at Park Elementary School in Durango. Those in the neighborhood can expect police vehicles parked on the premises, officers in tactical gear conducting exercises inside and outside the school, and signs advising that training is in progress. The sounds of shouting, airsoft weapons and the popping of a starter pistol will also be audible near the school, said Karla Sluis, spokeswoman for Durango School District 9-R.Sluis said that members of the school district’s safety department have gone door-to-door with flyers notifying residents around Park Elementary School about the training.

Hosted by the Durango Police Department and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, this week’s voluntary training invited officers from law enforcement agencies across a five-county region of Southwest Colorado encompassing La Plata, Archuleta, San Juan, Montezuma and Dolores counties.

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office deputy Durango Police Department Deputy Mike Latham, lead instructor for this week's training, said Wednesday and the first half of Thursday were mostly preparatory, teaching officers the school’s layout and devising scenarios, whereas the latter half of Thursday and Friday residents should anticipate some noise as active threat scenarios play out.

Latham said active threat training teaches officers proper protocol during active threat scenarios, especially in densely populated areas where they have become increasingly common.Park Elementary School is not the only Durango School District facility law enforcement has conducted active threat training. Latham said schools lend themselves well to this sort of training because, “It gives us all kinds of doors to work on, different rooms, different scenarios we can run. We can pretend it’s a mall with nice big corridors, we can even pretend it’s an outdoor area in the gymnasium.”Latham has participated in active threat training multiple times in the past and described the drills as exhilarating and nerve-wracking. He said one of the training’s main goals is teaching officers how to manage stress and remain calm with lives on the line.

“I take a pulse oximeter in the morning and get a baseline on their heart rates,” Latham said. “And sometimes, just before they’re about to engage a threat, I say ‘Timeout.’ Put it (the oximeter) on there, and their heart rate’s skyrocketed to 140, 150, 160 just in training.”

Latham said throughout his career active threat training has evolved to become safer for officers and fall in line with increasingly professional police standards.“When I first started we were just running into halls and rooms hoping for the best,” Latham said. “Now the tactic is still to get there, still stop the taking of lives, but tactics are much better than they were 20 years ago.”

Residents may see and hear police activity Thursday and Friday

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