Letters to the Editor: Lack of respect causes worldwide problems

Quoting David Hansen’s column (“Underground rebellion with business signs in Laguna Beach?” April 18): “Now, all we have is a city sign ordinance that encourages snitching. Rat your business neighbor out. Tell the teacher.”

This is the case not only with signage, but with most all Laguna Beach code enforcement issues that remain unattended until a concerned citizen, passerby or vengeful neighbor complains. Issues become contentious because we are not indoctrinated to self-govern, be respectful and cognizant of laws. Even so, if enforcement is unevenly applied it reinforces disdain.

We seem to follow that Wild West song, “Don’t Fence Me In,” and our collective maverick behavior is out of touch in an increasingly urbanized lifestyle. It just doesn’t work anymore.

Whether leaving waste, ignoring posted signs, trampling natural environments or doing what one wants, regardless of side effects, laws or even personal safety, it all tends to be ignored, even disdained, because what is not convenient and personally less appealing doesn’t really matter; it’s both a cultural and behavioral issue reflected in citizens and subsequent enforcement.

Example abound where there are no traffic lights or signage (i.e. traffic circles, crossroads, etc.) areas somehow become self-regulating, if only for basic survival. So when cities design and develop walkways, roads and urban settings, planning should consider this instead of after-the fact attachments, such as regulations, restrictions and laws, to which people inevitably pay little attention

Witness crosswalks with signal lights. Do most people heed them? Do drivers slow for or race through yellow lights? Do we text and use phones while driving? Should laws be consistent in all states? What do most do when hedges to grow beyond setback heights, or if we see trash cans in view 24/7 when they are supposed to be out of sight, except during scheduled pickups?

What about the rampant use of leaf blowers in spite of ordinances prohibiting them within city limits? What about chimney smoke blowing into others’ homes or smoking near another person’s open window or in public areas?

A lack of consideration and respect causes our problems here and worldwide, and enforcement to mitigate our worst impulses must be evenly applied.

Leah Vasquez

Laguna Beach

Senate Bill would keep criminals in the country

In 2010, the Costa Mesa City Council voted to become a “Rule of Law” city and was the first city in the nation to do so. I am proud to have led that effort. This means that we support upholding our laws, and that we cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after someone is arrested during the normal course of an officer’s duties.

This was strictly an issue of public safety. When we had an ICE agent regularly assigned to our jail, we turned over more than 1,300 criminals to ICE. The crimes committed consisted of burglary, robbery, sex offenses, drug offenses, weapons charges and DUIs. In other words, we are not talking about people who are just wanting to immigrate legally for legitimate employment.

How many criminals will be released back into our communities if we are forced to stop cooperating with ICE, due to California Senate Bill 54?

If we don’t cooperate with ICE, for example, when an immigrant without sanction to be in this country commits a burglary, robbery or any number of other crimes, then that person will be released into our community to commit another crime and victimize another person.

These criminals don’t respect city borders, so if one city lets them go, they are free to go to any city and commit another crime. For that matter, if SB 54 passes, they could commit a crime in another state and then return to California to seek sanctuary.

Additionally, this may have the opposite effect that illegal-immigration proponents want. If there is no cooperation with ICE in the jail, then agents will be forced to go out into the community to make arrests. Many people have already been the victims of crimes committed by those here illegally.

As a husband, father, and a former deputy sheriff, I don’t want to see additional victims. All elected officials take an oath to uphold our laws but it looks like that’s changing.

Allan Mansoor

Costa Mesa

The writer is a city councilman.

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