Readers React: Why was Sandra Bland arrested in the first place?

To the editor: I may be naive, but I think law enforcement officers are worthy of gratitude and respect — but there’s nothing synonymous between respect and fear. (“Texas grand jury finds no cause for indictment in Sandra Bland case,” Dec. 21)

Even if Sandra Bland, who earlier this year was found dead in her Texas jail cell three days after being arrested, were in a suicidal frame of mind, to what extent may it have been exacerbated by her finding herself in a jail cell frightened of police abuse all the while? And to what extent were her captors aware of her mental state and negligent in monitoring her accordingly?

I’ve heard it said that Bland would probably be alive today had she not been arrested and that it is highly uncommon for anyone to be arrested under similar circumstances. This is what troubles me.

Ronald Webster, Long Beach

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook