Questions on Tragedy

The Times has done a very thorough job in following the Paul Reynolds tragedy that occurred Feb. 18. We have learned about his medical history, his immediate family, his community contributions in Cardiff and his warm personality.

In the Feb. 22 article, “Cardiff Group Seeks Probe of Slaying,” I was pleased to observe the independent efforts by the members of the Cardiff Town Council. In addition to their questions, I feel that San Diego citizens need to understand some additional basic issues:

1. Are the Sheriff’s deputies taught how to distinguish the differences between real and “perceived” immediate danger?

2. Should we have seen a back-up called when a citizen flagged down Deputy JeffreyJackson and explained that a man was acting strangely and blocking traffic near the Interstate 5 off-ramp?

3. Should Deputy Jackson have asked Paul to kick the marlin spike away from Paul’s reach before asking him to lie down in the street? Should the deputy have moved in on Paul if the marlin spike was within Paul’s reach?

4. What is the historical perspective of Deputy Jackson?

5. If it appears that an individual is acting strangely, are deputies taught to subdue the individual immediately, or could they hold off longer and evaluate the circumstances? Until experienced department veterans take leadership in the careful review of homicide cases and recommend improved changes in procedures and training, tragedies such as with Paul Reynolds will unfortunately reoccur.

CAS WONSOWICZ, Poway