Los Angeles Street Scene

As a 35-year Angeleno, who was working with friends in a craft booth on Temple Street on Saturday and Sunday of the L.A. Street Scene, I am greatly disappointed with the position stated by Deputy Mayor Tom Houston to cancel next year’s event. The many thousands of families--white, black, Asian--came together to celebrate life with music, dance and our appreciation of the world’s many foods.

But it is obvious to anyone who was there that some changes have to be made to reduce the possibility of violence to average law-abiding citizens. I believe Street Scene organizers should do the following:

1--Shut down the program one hour before nightfall. This would allow the Los Angeles Police Department to move the people out of the area in an orderly nonviolent fashion.

2--Stop the sale of alcoholic beverages in the fourth quarter of the day, which is what the Los Angeles Raiders and Coliseum officials did to cut down violent acts at professional football games.

3--Employ more private security guards at all entrances to Street Scene. All those with a bag or cooler must demonstrate that they have no bottles, cans or weapons.

4--Set up a boxing ring where young or old jerks can “choose off” one of their pals. Provide regulation gloves and headgear and employ state athletic officials to judge a 3-minute round. This would release much excess energy in our youth.

5--Employ top high school football players to act as undercover security. They must be large enough to “stare down” potential troublemakers.

In summary, L.A. Street Scene should continue in the future. The multi-ethnic and multi-cultural composition of Los Angeles do get along and is a wonderful learning experience for our children. These “young terrorists” should not be able to hold the city hostage with their violent, irresponsible acts. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater. The “City of the Angels” would be the loser.

JACK McGRATH

Studio City