The Issue: President Trump suggesting the reopening of Alcatraz for the “dregs of society.”
Is it safe to say that President Trump can be whimsical at times (“Trump: Let’s reopen Alcatraz,” May 5)?
Out of the blue comes the notion of restoring Alcatraz.
Was he spurred by watching the Clint Eastwood movie “Escape from Alcatraz?”
What’s next?
The restoration of chain gangs?
Or will the notorious French penal colony of Devil’s Island be next?
I suggest people examine the reasons Alcatraz was closed in 1963.
Bringing this prison up to condition would cost a fortune to house just 336 inmates.
Trump should let it continue on as the museum it is today under the National Park Service.
While people can latch onto to some of Trump’s initiatives, this shouldn’t be one of them.
Phil Serpico
Queens
President Trump suggesting the reopening of Alcatraz is not a sink-or-swim proposition.
It is an example of how he tries to find solutions to America’s problems and create dialogue to bring about positive change.
Trump is fearless and open to impactful answers.
Peter Cooper
Bronxville
It is clear that hardened criminals no longer fear being arrested and going to prison.
Trump reopening Alcatraz would serve as a wake-up call to all the rapists, child molesters and murderers in America.
Daniel Robinowitz
Dallas, Texas
Like many people, I have been in a cell at Alcatraz, but escaped.
It’s a lot easier when you’re a tourist.
Trump wants to reopen it as a working prison.
There are surely enough secure jails already, and if not, building and running prisons is very profitable.
This is probably a distracting stunt, rather than a true attempt to wipe out an interesting tourist spot.
Dennis Fitzgerald
Melbourne, Australia
If Alcatraz reopens, it should have a one-way door; a way in but no way out — unless a criminal is departing in a pine box.
Thomas Birnbaum
Manhattan
Trump thinks he’s so brilliant with his insane, obtuse and embarrassing ideas.
Now he wants to bring back Alcatraz prison.
What a joke.
Maybe in the next election, Americans can elect a leader who isn’t stark-raving mad.
Willie Harris
Peoria, Ariz.
Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz.
Cool, let’s do that — and let him be the first inmate admitted.
Kreg Ramone
Manhattan
The Issue: City Council members’ initiative to delete the NYPD’s gang database, preventing ICE arrests.
It defies all logic and common sense for these teenaged punks to be released back into our society as juveniles (“Impunyty for li’l terrors,” May 7).
We can certainly expect them to commit more crimes against our citizens.
The progressives on the City Council who want to keep ICE from going after them are now trying to pass legislation to kill the NYPD’s gang database to further prevent reasonable policing.
Apparently, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and her friends are on the side of crime.
These City Council members need to be held accountable.
Saul Mishaan
Brooklyn
The City Council’s idea to expunge the NYPD’s gang database is another example of how far-left Democrats
continue to embrace make-believe ideology over the harsh reality that New York City is going down the toilet.
The council needs to refocus its priorities to cleaning up the city, instead of running our streets like a pack of wilding politicians.
Donathan Salkaln
Manhattan
Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
