If you frequent Sporty’s these days, you would know getting escorted out of the establishment is a rare occurrence. In seven months of bartending there, I have yet to call the police to escort customers out. I don’t allow customers to become unruly and I refuse racism of any sort. When a possible scuffle appears to arise, I calmly intervene and diffuse the situation.

I participated in the events that occurred in front of the pharmacy while the arrests were happening. I ran up to the small crowd surrounding the officers who had the suspects on the ground and also attempted to keep citizens from approaching the officers. As someone who was a “silent observer/peacekeeper,” I find your story and following editorial to be biased and would encourage you to revisit the facts before discussing them in print with the entire population on the Island.

If you observed the Vashon nightlife community regularly, your reporting would acknowledge all sides and factors, not just the hypotheses from angry participants.

First, many eyewitnesses were under the influence at the time and are friends with the arrest victims, all with conflicting stories. Secondly, The Beachcomber stated, “If instead he initiated physical contact, his response was over the top and out of line — a case, very possibly, of an officer using excessive force.” When did the newspaper become the official source for police protocol?

I believe if the press is going to print the facts, time should be taken in gathering information instead of writing impulsive, deadline-driven, theory-ridden editorials on incidents deserving much more discussion, research and insight than speculation and persuasive commentary.

— AnnaLisa LaFayette