WTE offers thumbs up and down 2-8-25

LEAD program works to keep people from returning to jail

UP to those working in the Laramie County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program for doing what they can to help keep people from reoffending and ending up back in the county jail.

LEAD is a pre-arrest diversion program hosted locally through the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement officers can refer some of their more habitual offenders to the program in the hope they can improve their lives and get away from the cycle of crime.

Through their own resources and connections with nonprofits in the community, LEAD Program Manager MacKenzie Howard and case managers Rebecca Ogletree and Austin Jones help those prone to repeat offenses overcome addiction, mental health issues, extreme poverty and other problems. They even incorporate program participants into the effort by having them serve as mentors for those looking to break whatever cycle is keeping them down.

And since there is no graduation from the program, participants can always reach back out for help, as needed, no matter how long it’s been since they were part of it.

This approach has been proven to work, and we applaud program staff, participants and community partners for their ongoing efforts.

ACLU letter was inappropriate, sheriff’s response was perfect

DOWN to ACLU of Wyoming for its recent letter to Wyoming sheriffs, warning them not to participate in a federal immigration enforcement program, but UP to Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak for his response.

On Jan. 27, American Civil Liberties Union Wyoming senior staff attorney Andrew Malone and advocacy director Antonio Serrano sent a letter they said was meant to inform county sheriffs about the potential problems with participating in 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The letter outlined the “risks such agreements carry regarding public safety, community relationships, financial costs, and potential legal liability.”

Since the letter contained no examples from Wyoming, it does nothing but stoke fears and division within the Equality State.

The letter claims that “joining these programs will harm public safety.” It says, “Your local community’s perception would be that your department is hand-in-glove with ICE, and that every one of your officers or deputies wears a second hat of immigration enforcement. That perception has been shown to undermine community-law enforcement trust, making many community members much less likely to call the police to provide tips, report crimes, and seek needed protection.”

Sheriff Kozak’s response to the letter exactly matched what he had said about immigration enforcement before he received it. His main objective, he said, is to “make sure dangerous criminals are not released into the community, especially now, when ICE will be busy.” Further, “We want to make it clear that, if you need help from the sheriff’s office, we’re there to help. We don’t care about immigration status. If you witness a crime, let us know. If you are a victim of crime, let us know, because our focus is on arresting criminals.”

There’s always the potential for abuse of power, of course, but that’s true regardless of who occupies the White House and what directives that person issues. We have to trust that our sheriff will be true to his word and work to protect the civil liberties of U.S. citizens, whether that’s with ACLU’s cooperation or not.

Legislature should pass bill to help veterans become social workers

UP to state senators for passing Senate File 30, “Wyoming’s investment in veterans’ mental health,” and sending it to their House colleagues for consideration.

A proposed loan repayment program under SF 30 would cover educational costs for veterans who study at the University of Wyoming to become clinical social workers. A $250,000 allocation from the state’s general fund would start the program. Money could be used by qualifying applicants for tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel and personal expenses to attend the University of Wyoming to get a master’s degree in social work, counseling or a doctorate degree in psychology.

Studies have shown that veterans are often more inclined to trust fellow veterans as they work through depression, post-traumatic stress and suicidal thoughts than regular social workers. If even a handful of veterans use this program to get the necessary training to help their fellow military service members during their time of need, it will be worth the state’s investment.

Cheyenne earns bronze bicycle-friendly honor

UP to the city of Cheyenne for earning a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community award from The League of American Bicyclists.

In its first year applying for the honor, the award recognizes Cheyenne for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities, while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices.

With more than 47 miles of Greenway path, as well as bike lanes in parts of downtown and along Airport Parkway, Wyoming’s capital city has much to be proud of. We hope that by the time the city seeks to renew its status in 2028, it will have further enhanced Cheyenne’s bicycling features and kept up with national safety standards, changing technology and community-driven best practices.

That should include more bike lanes, shared use trails, convenient bike parking, and policies to ensure these facilities stay clean and safe. Cooperation among agencies and engagement with all residents will be important as they consider such things as adding well-connected bicycle lanes as road projects allow, incorporating cycling into Safe Routes to School planning and reducing speed limits in certain neighborhoods.

With residents’ ongoing support, and motorists’ attention to the safety of cyclists and those using other methods of transportation, Wyoming’s largest city will continue to be recognized as a place friendly to everyone, regardless of their preferred method of travel.