Readers Write (Aug. 6): Policing and protests, U.S. Bank Stadium, state finances, voter ID

As the unrest continues over police interaction within minority communities, it might be time to consider another approach. As indicated in "Police union decries some protesters' behavior" (Aug. 5), a line must be drawn between peacefully expressing concern and outright violence. The ambush deaths of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge serve as stark reminders. The concept "Broken Windows" spread across New York when Commissioner William Bratton took over in 1994. The theory is that police address minor acts of criminality. This proactive approach did improve community relations while putting the criminal element on notice. The homicide rate decreased 76 percent within the first few years and another 36 percent in the 2000s. All other felonies dropped 31 percent. This concept was rejected in 2014 by new Mayor Bill de Blasio, who labeled the practice as racist. The federal Department of Justice was called in to monitor the New York Police Department. As a result, cops backed off and a new surge of crime has taken over. Despite the politics in NYC, proactive policing works, and it might be time to consider this in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Society must decide how much chaos it's willing to tolerate while addressing the legitimate concerns of others.

When the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and SMG opened U.S. Bank Stadium's doors for a soccer game on Wednesday, you didn't have to wait even to halftime to find widespread shortcomings ("Stadium's debut scrum brings vows to improve," Aug. 5).

I visited all of the food stands (on all levels), and contrary to statements by Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen, they were either out of their main offerings or the lines were so stagnant that to wait, one would miss much of the event.

Although the facility is impressive on the outside, inside it lacks a state of being finished and needs:

• Wide-enough concourses: On Wednesday night at halftime, the concourses were just as impassable and unsafe as were those at the Metrodome! Imagine them with 66,000 Metallica fans!

• Signage: It seems nonexistent.

• Maps: There were only limited, temporary ones.

• Bars: Completely understaffed, ill-prepared. (Soccer fans drink — who knew?) Imagine this with 66,000 country concert fans!

• Restrooms: Not prepped. In one checked men's room, most sinks were without soap even before the first 100 people were inside.

• Staff: Unable to direct people to even the most basic locations.

To the Sports Facility Authority and SMG: You spent your mulligan. Now step up and perform for $1 billion for real. The dress rehearsal was a failure.

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My 33-year-old son, a knowledgeable soccer fan and someone who has gone to games in Europe, and I attended the Chelsea vs. AC Milan match on Wednesday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Star Tribune commentary about the arena and game itself has been interesting on several levels. People need to be a little forgiving of this first U.S. Bank Stadium event: Kinks need to be worked out and undoubtedly will be before the Vikings season begins in earnest, although crowd management will be a work in progress. On the other hand, on a circuitous course while trying to find our seats, we did have a fascinating glimpse of where cooking oil and Gatorade coolers were stored.

A truly notable observation of the fans was the amazing racial, ethnic and cultural blend — people getting along, having fun and being there for the game. Yes, there was a smattering of friendly partisanship, but the focal point was soccer. The "oohs" and "aahs" of near-misses, great saves and splendid passing was an incredible in-person experience. I was thrilled to see the absence of distracting vendors in the aisles, something I suspect (but do not know) will not be the case with the Vikings. Perhaps it was this — in addition to the long lines at food and beverage venues, the lack of tailgating, and the paucity of nearby bars and restaurants — that contributed to my being unaware of any drunk (and thereby unruly) fans, either during or after the match. Unfortunately, this will unlikely be the case with football, for a number of reasons, but especially because beer makes money, and that's a bottom line.

Soccer is a different game, with no break aside from halftime and the potential immediacy of a goal being something that one does not want to miss by hitting the concession stands. And the universal tradition of professional athletes walking out with young players before the game is something that other professional sports should surely take a lesson from. There were many great lessons to be learned Wednesday night. Michael Rand said it perfectly in "Talker" in Friday's sports section: "The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is ready for soccer on a big stage." I will add that not only are we ready, but we are ready — and, hopefully able — to make it truly enjoyable

The Aug. 3 editorial about the state receiving a AAA bond rating from Fitch rating service was very good news for Minnesota. However, to suggest our financial health was the best during any time in the past 35 years is a real stretch!

After the election of Gov. Arne Carlson in 1990, we started on the path to sound financial management, through long-term planning and the necessary building and protecting of our reserves.

During much of that time, I was the Democratic chair of the House appropriations committee, and, believe me, the challenge was enormous with an inherited $2.3 billion deficit. Later I was appointed commissioner of finance. The politics was rocky, but good judgment prevailed, and by 1997 all rating agencies gave us a true AAA rating. I still applaud Carlson's determination to make us a true AAA state.

Please, let's stop the voter ID nonsense. The courts have justifiably ruled.

Anyone, including noncitizens, can obtain a valid driver's license in all 50 states. Likewise, most other photo IDs do not legally establish "U.S. citizenship" as a prerequisite to issuance. So courts will continue to overturn these misguided laws that place an obstacle on a U.S. citizen's right to vote.

A simple solution is a federal ID that clearly establishes "citizenship." This would reasonably satisfy everyone, including the courts, since citizenship is the only requirement for voting actually stated in the Constitution.