Giving Jobs to Gang Members

I salute Sinclair. Of all the solutions written to rid our community of gangs, he voices the only positive approach.

Gang members have an abundance of unchanneled energy. Sinclair channels that energy constructively. Surely this enormous, diverse and sprawling community of ours has many more Baxter Sinclairs. Now is the time for them to step forward.

A good, hard day’s work should sap any excessive energy normally reserved for delinquent behavior.

Besides equipping our police with shotguns and revolvers, we should arm them with an arsenal of business cards. If they find a stone thrower, direct him to a newspaper delivery agent. If they find a thief, direct him to a repossession agency.

This community’s youth is its most valuable resource. Why squander it?

LAWRENCE E. LONG

Los Angeles