I appreciated Sarah Augustine’s column addressing Bethel College’s decision to invite increased police patrols on campus (August). Amplifying perspectives that challenge the expansion of the criminal justice system is necessary and courageous. Police presence on a diverse college campus such as ours carries profound implications for students of color and Indigenous students, whose experiences with law enforcement often differ sharply from those of the dominant culture.

Preston Vicenzi, Newton, Kan.

When I was at Bethel, I got into a bit of trouble. The administration gave me a choice of dealing with the issue inter­nally with the college or turning it over to the police. Bethel dealt with the matter internally. My consequences were community service, apology letters to my dorm and therapy sessions. All were very constructive. This episode could have been a negative turning point in my life but instead was positive. I attribute much of the success in my career to how Bethel approached my situation all those years ago. Police patrolling campus is not only unnecessary but would preclude having student issues, like mine, dealt with internally and privately. 

Joshua Nathan, Los Angeles

Augustine raises important issues that have been borne mostly by a small group of Bethel students. The role of the police for the faith community is a complex issue. To find better answers to vandalism and other forms of violence, we need greater involvement, including from the denomination as a whole. Status quo solutions only perpetuate fear, injustice and frustration.

Douglas Miller, Hesston, Kan.

I read Augustine’s column while reading elsewhere of President Trump’s efforts to militarize U.S. cities. I found the thematic echoes between the two deeply disturbing. Relying on police for campus safety normalizes the use of armed force in maintaining order and solving problems. 

Daagya Dick, North Newton, Kan.

I am glad to see this issue discussed in the larger Anabaptist community. ­Bethel students have struggled to have our voices heard, but our administrators have suppressed every effort. Innocent accidents are used as evidence for why we need police officers roaming our campus with deadly weapons.

Pandora Freeman, Sedgwick, Kan.

Administrators have tried to erase the problem and convince us nothing is wrong. I am not religiously Mennonite, but I hold many of their values. I believe in restorative justice as an alternative to policing, something that has been undermined and ignored by the Bethel administration.

Jasper Krehbiel, North Newton, Kan.

As the father of a Bethel student, a per­son of color and a Mennonite, I agree with Augustine: We people of color don’t feel safe interacting with police. Our sense of powerlessness is not an overdramatization, as Bethel President Jon Gering has suggested, but a reasonable product of the oppressive system. I know that many, if not most, police will always see me as the dangerous party. 

Juan F. Coy Teni, North Newton, Kan.