Migrant suspects in NYC brawl, LIRR electrification,  Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Release of suspects in brawl is appalling

I cannot believe a group of immigrants living here illegally accused of attacking two NYPD officers were arrested, then let loose without bail [“Cops: Four accused in brawl may have bus tickets,” News, Feb. 3]. They should have gotten a one-way ticket back to Venezuela, where they allegedly came from, not to California.

Due process is one thing for American citizens, but to release these men was appalling. Something must be done about our immigration issues. President Joe Biden is trying to work with a bunch of self-centered members of the House of Representatives who demand immigration reform but only do what former President Donald Trump tells them to do.

America must wake up if we are to solve problems such as immigration and not use them as political footballs to satisfy the whims of a former president who is only looking out for himself, not the American people.

— Linda Carson, East Northport

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg continues to condone criminal behavior by not prosecuting people alleged to have committed crimes.

First, it was to decline to press charges against subway turnstile jumpers, thereby encouraging and condoning such activities.

Now, he said he is trying to determine what each of the migrants living here illegally who allegedly assaulted two NYPD officers actually did. This is absurd. If they acted in concert, there is no need to determine how many times each suspect may have kicked the police officers. Consequently, each could be criminally prosecuted.

Some used phony names during their booking and, subsequently, were believed to be buying bus tickets to flee his jurisdiction. This shows how ineptly their arraignments were handled. The government apparently is unsure who they are or where they are. Do you think they will show up for their criminal proceedings?

— Howard Mandell, East Northport

Consider overhead electrical rail lines

The Long Island Rail Road wants to build a train yard on the site of the former Lawrence Aviation Industries property in Port Jefferson [“MTA in deal for toxic site,” News, Jan. 27]. Politicians are saying it’s a good idea (maybe it is) because it might spur the LIRR to electrify the Port Jefferson line [“New chance to electrify trains,” Editorial, Jan. 30]. If that’s the case, maybe instead of the LIRR installing an electrical rail, it could speed up the electrification process by doing what other rail lines have done.

Put up overhead electrical lines and buy new electric rail cars that utilize both overhead wires through a pantograph system on top of the cars, as well as a Third Track power shoe that the train could automatically switch to when it enters an existing Third Track.

Overhead wiring might be cheaper and faster to install instead of another rail. Regarding safety, people wouldn’t come in contact with an energized rail, plus snow buildup would probably be less likely on a wire rather than on the power rail, possibly causing a service disruption.

Granted, wires have been known to come down, but if that’s such an important issue, why are other railroads still using overhead electrification? Because it’s reliable?

— Charles Hooker, Patchogue

We hope this Metropolitan Transportation Authority project doesn’t have issues like the 118-year-old wooden Long Island Rail Road bridge in Port Jefferson. Lawrence Aviation Industries was bad for the environment and surrounding area. The federal Environmental Protection Agency took years to get involved, seeming to dismiss residents’ concerns.

Now, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has to finalize the cleanup. Well, the cleanup started months ago with little oversight and apparently no notification to the community. The demolition noise starts on good-weather weekdays at 7 a.m. with an occasional smell of sewage and chemicals that can linger.

Recently, a 10–foot wall of a “controlled burn” fire emanating from there brought police and firefighters to our neighborhood. Now, electrifying the Port Jefferson line is being discussed. Considering this and other issues, such as the state diverting the Greenway Trail, let’s see what happens.

— Larry Ferraro, Port Jefferson Station

Swift-Kelce ‘scheme’: Beyond imagination

Upon learning of this bogus Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce conspiracy, I hadn’t had my morning coffee and was wondering if I was having a ridiculous dream. But no, I was not [“Swift, Kelce and political conspiracies,” News, Feb. 2].

How much more ridiculous is the far right going to go? Every time I think it can’t get worse, it does. I’ll give them credit for one thing — their imaginations are boundless.

— Kitty Nelson, Huntington