L.A. Police Patrols and Fatal Gang Shooting in Westwood

I was in Westwood last Saturday night when the young lady from Long Beach was killed by someone involved in a street gang. I didn’t witness this tragedy, but the thought of just being in the neighborhood that night chills my blood. But now my blood is starting to boil with anger.

I am angry that these gangs can reduce Westwood and other parts of this city to some kind of battle zone where one’s life is threatened by the mere fact of being there. I am angry because our city officials don’t seem capable or willing to really deal with this problem that truly threatens the quality of life for everyone in this city. Downtown, Hollywood, the Wilshire District and Venice have been trashed by gangs and now they are out to trash Westwood. Although the Los Angeles Police Department has its special gang unit, it is obviously not able to effectively deal with the gang problem.

And so I propose a special tax to raise the necessary revenue to put mounted police in places like Westwood in numbers sufficient to deter the presence of these thugs. So-called crime assessment districts should be established in areas rife with gang violence to provide the needed funds. Moreover, we need to arm the police with laws that permit them to round up these animals. Strict enforcement of the curfew laws is a good idea, but not good enough.

City Attorney James Hahn has made certain proposals that must be given every consideration. We don’t have to abandon the Constitution, but we must give law enforcement and the courts more tools to put more gang members away for good.

For years Westwood has provided people the most pedestrian friendly atmosphere in the city. Now Westwood is threatened by these urban guerrillas. If something monumental isn’t done soon, Westwood will surely go the way of Hollywood.

RICHARD N. JOSEPH

Los Angeles