LAPD’s Secretive Investigations Unit: Watching as Suspects Commit Crimes

I read your article about the SIS following and apprehending known career criminals after witnessing their crimes in progress. That story raises serious doubts about our judicial and correctional systems. Why aren’t those criminals still in prison? Our judicial system issues “slap on the hand” punishments to those career criminals and lets them back on the streets to rob, rape and kill innocent people once more. It is a well-known fact that the truly dangerous criminal can be identified by his record of criminal convictions. If they can be identified, why can’t they be kept for their maximum sentence?

Many will sleep a little better at night knowing those officers are out there arresting such criminals and getting them off the streets by catching them in the act of committing felony crimes. Thank you for acknowledging that deterrent provided by the LAPD. Yet, your later editorial (“The Risk Is Too Great,” Sept. 27) failed to recognize the heroism of the LAPD officers or the reality of crime in Los Angeles.

Are your editorial writers as unaware of the actual impact of police involvement before a strong felony case can be made as the editorial would suggest? Have you lost sight of the original purpose of our laws? LAPD operates within the law. Police make a difference in violent crimes. They are the only part of the “criminal justice system” that does make a difference!

MARILYN HUSTON

Los Angeles