Don't punish those who take action

I think that getting fired because of doing something noble and decent is an absolute outrage. What Jim Nicholson did ["Bank teller foils holdup, nabs suspect -- loses job," page one, August 1] was dangerous and careless, but he responded to not only the man in front of him, but he also stood up and battled the ongoing sense of terror, violence and horror our country has been completely saturated with.

I believe Nicholson's efforts were heroic, and Key Bank should have promoted him rather than throwing him out onto the streets for doing what was right and good.

Shouldn't we as humans be empowered to stop injustice and immorality when we are provided an opportunity? Or have we become so liberal, blasé and indifferent that even crime is a slightly taboo occurrence and a fact of normal everyday life.

I would be delighted with an opportunity to do as Nicholson did -- grab someone doing something blatantly wrong and illegal and be a part of the system that removes one more predator off the streets. I don't want these people living among me, and obviously Nicholson doesn't either.

Key Bank, on the other hand, seems to want to passively sit by and regard the incident as just "one of those things" and let police, with mountains of similar cases, lose it in the shuffle.

Key Bank's response to Nicholson's actions made a declaration to every would-be criminal and pathological crook that they are welcome to walk on in and rob the place. After all, their employees have been trained to stand idly by.

Well, I guess this is one bank that has found a way to offer a truly free service!

-- Jennifer Wiese, Kent

For criminals, Key bank might as well have valet parking

When you mandate compliance to the actions of urban terrorists, you give free rein to those who would take by force whatever they want and encourage further anti-social behavior and societal decay.

Since that is Key Bank's corporate policy, I suggest a new advertising campaign: "At Key Bank, you show us the gun, and we'll give you the keys!"

It could be accompanied by a nifty program of reserving a parking space at the front door of each branch for robbers or, where a space is not available, offering valet "heist and flee" parking service.

By its actions, firing a brave clerk who captured a thug, Key Bank has announced to thieves everywhere that it's doors and vaults are open for crooks. Does any sane person really want to entrust their money or valuables in a place like that?
The people of Seattle should withdraw all accounts from Key Bank and move them someplace safer.

-- S. Roy Stone, Henrico, Va.

For bank, firing employee means more risk of robbery

What a mistake by the bank! Jim Nicholson is a great employee and conscientious citizen. If he is not appreciated there, I say he should move on to better things.

But what kind of idiots are running that bank? They have just opened themselves up for so many more robberies of so many other branches. We had an all-night store that was robbed, and they also said in the paper that they do not resist.

It was hit three more times that month, no weapons ever showed. Duh! They are going to miss Nicholson, and the bank deserves what headaches it gets over his firing and any future robberies that occur.

-- Doreen Powers, Pocono Mountains, Penn.