‘Potential of Violence’ at Proposed Day-Care Site

I appreciate the fact that the Pasadena All Saints Church has a service record that is the envy of this community and I in no way intend to detract from that reputation. (I want) to assure that their temporary day care center goes forward with all parties being fully advised of the facts (Times, March 21).

It is the position of some members of the Pasadena Board of Directors that we should “let the day care center open and see what happens.” While there is a good possibility that there will never be an incident that would jeopardize the safety of those children, the potential of armed violence in that area is always present and once a problem occurs it will be too late to protect them.

I have on many occasions sat in my chambers and watched the Pasadena Police Department move members of one gang faction across that area in an attempt to avoid them having contact with members of another gang who are about to leave the court.

To my personal knowledge, there has been at least one armed escape from the courthouse across the grass area which will become the day care center. That same escapee was soon thereafter killed in a gun battle with the police.

The present location of the center, across the street, behind a large wall and out of the line of fire, is 100% safer than the new temporary site and any security measures, short of bulletproofing the area, will be inadequate. This is not just my opinion, but an opinion shared by virtually everyone on the staff of the Pasadena Municipal Court.

JUDSON W. MORRIS Jr.

Judge, Pasadena Municipal Court