Officer Slain in Gang Shooting

The editorial “Gangs: the Long Road” (Sept. 9) is a classic example of “Where you stand depends on where you sit.”

While lauding the commendable and good efforts of political and business leaders for developing programs for job training, drug education, and attempts to steer youngsters away from gang activity, The Times could not resist a jab at Police Chief Daryl Gates’ reaction to the murder of one of his officers when he labeled the criminals “no good miserable sons of bitches.”

But then, editorial writers sit in their offices writing about the efforts of others, while the chief sits in his office leading the men and women who are actually out on the streets taking the gang leaders’ guns and contraband away from them. The editorial writers are not likely to see any of their number slain for practicing their calling, but the same cannot be said for the chief of police.

RON LESOVSKY

Santa Ana