Readers sound off on the NYC special narcotics prosecutor, Ron DeSantis and school’s start

Manhattan: Marilyn Reyes’ op-ed “Shut down the NYC special narcotics prosecutor” (Aug. 30) is misguided and inaccurate. While I applaud her ability to rise above hardships and her advocacy for those returning from prison, she seems unaware that drug laws, mandatory sentences and criminal justice approaches have changed in the nearly 30 years since her arrest. For example, in 2022, our prosecutions sent 183 people to state prison, far from the thousands each year she claimed.

The work of our office has never been more important or more relevant than it is today. Drug overdoses claim more New Yorkers’ lives than ever before, largely due to lethal fentanyl smuggled in from Mexico. The office focuses on saving lives by targeting those importing and trafficking in large volumes of deadly narcotics, as well as local drug distribution networks linked to overdoses and violence. Our cases resulted in the seizure of almost 1,000 pounds of fentanyl last year, and nearly a million fentanyl pills.

Moreover, letters, emails and phone calls pour into our office daily from neighborhoods across the city pleading with us to curb blatant drug sales and associated crime. Our work in these most-affected communities remains essential.

Our office recognizes the impact of high incarceration rates of the 1990s, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Understanding the consequences of policies of that period, our approach is far more narrow and targeted today. As a pioneer in developing alternative-to-incarceration programs, we remain steadfast in our long-standing commitment to treatment, prevention and educational initiatives. Bridget G. Brennan, NYC special narcotics prosecutor

Manhattan: The Greater Harlem Coalition would like to express our support for New York’s special narcotics prosecutor and her entire office. Unlike author Marilyn Reyes, we believe that people and cartels smuggling, manufacturing and selling heroin, fentanyl, tranq, cocaine and crack should be prosecuted. The dealers who supply New Yorkers suffering from substance use disorder are directly complicit in the epidemic of overdose deaths that have killed thousands of our neighbors and loved ones. While Reyes opposes the work of the prosecutor to fight organized crime and ruthless cartels (smuggling and then selling the poison used in OnPoint), we oppose drug dealers and their role in the horrific loss of American lives and the destruction of the last vestiges of democracy in many nations south of our border. We support effective treatment for everyone suffering from substance use disorder and encourage our city, state and federal officials to assist them on their many paths to recovery. Shawn Hill and Syderia Asberry-Chresfield, co-founders, The Greater Harlem Coalition

Staten Island: While watching the U.S. Open on Thursday night at about 8 p.m. on ESPN2, my TV went black and a notice came up that stated, basically, that because of a negotiating dispute between Disney and Spectrum, this channel and others would no longer be available to me. I learned that that also included ABC Channel 7, which I thought was a general channel and could not be affected by such a thing. This is disgraceful. Calling Spectrum was useless. They’re sorry for any inconvenience but it’s Disney’s fault. As for any credit for loss of these channels, they have no plans at this time. Someone has to step in and fix this, as well as Spectrum’s attitude to it. Judith Clarke

Tuckahoe, N.Y.: To Voicer Marilyn Leybra: The bear referenced in your letter (“Bear attacks 7-year-old playing in his backyard just north of NYC,” Aug. 23) was negative for rabies. That fact was reported more than a week ago. The Daily News should have footnoted that fact when it printed your letter. Kiley Blackman

Merion Station, Pa.: Reading about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas hobnobbing with various billionaires reminded me that he’s merely another Baby Boomer, enamored with the Beatles and their iconic song, “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Paul L. Newman

Suffern, N.Y.: Is it just me or does Bill Barr’s face resemble Maude Frickert, Jonathan Winters’ character? Rick Sinclair

Howard Beach: As you can see, I live in Howard Beach. I got hammered by Hurricane Sandy, as did my neighbors and a million other residents in New York and New Jersey. Now, our brothers and sisters in Florida are dealing with the effects of global warming, which some people deny is the cause. So what is the reason for my concern? The governor of Florida is in the midst of his appeal to the federal government to provide emergency relief to his constituents. Therein lies the problem: Ron DeSantis voted no for our relief after we were impacted by Sandy. Should we deny the needs of the citizens of Florida? No, but consider DeSantis’ narrow focus for our country as a whole. Ed Sullivan

Redondo Beach, Fla.: Slaves never knew how good they had it until DeSantis was elected. John Chevedden

Chester, N.J.: We are in a new era, where extremists want to pervert our election system through threats or intimidation. We need higher penalties for threatening election workers. While elections are at the state level, and getting this done in all 50 states will be a challenge, we should at least investigate whether federal penalties can be invoked when it is a national election. David J. Melvin

Bronx: Is it possible for a presidential candidate to switch party affiliation in the middle of a primary race? If so, as an independent voter, I would strongly consider casting my vote for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Of course, it would necessitate that he do exactly that and switch parties due to Donald Trump’s cult-like hold over his political party. Such an untested and improbable tactic would require a great deal of courage and conviction on Christie’s part. Most regrettably, in my opinion President Biden’s age and the lunacy that has engulfed the Republican Party makes voting for either highly unappealing. If Christie were to be nominated by his party, I would surely vote for him. But as we all know, that’s not likely to occur as long as Trump is able to remain out of prison. Carlos B. Martinez

Manhattan: To Voicer Mary Zanfini and her opinion on if/when someone such as Robin Roberts, in this case, is deserving of prayers: All I can do is quote the Bible, which you — like many others — seem to cherry-pick as needed. Matthew 7:1-3: “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Elizabeth Winters

Keyport, N.J.: To Voicer Perry Greenberg: Sounds like you are promoting that breaking the law is fine. Do you need signs to tell you not to speed because you could get caught? Should we put up signs saying, “Don’t kill people — not because it isn’t right, but you could get caught”? Does the person crossing the road know that during the summer, when school is not in session, there are no laws and they are fair game? How about being a law-abiding citizen? Joe Napolitano

Warwick, R.I.: Now that our students are returning to their classes, our hope is they remain safe and succeed in learning the essentials that will be required to succeed in life. Curriculum changes, financial concerns, physical safety and pronoun choices will still remain challenges for the foreseeable future. Life as a student is still one of learning, acquiring new friends and participating in extracurricular activities, such as sports, band, theater or any of the numerous options that are available. When returning to grade school or university, the challenge is always the same: Attempt to exceed your perceived limitations. By determination, you will succeed and then become a productive contributor to our country’s future. Enjoy your life as a student. As time passes, it will always retain a place in your memory as a means to a successful career and a productive and prosperous life. Bob Sweeney