Anti-Gang Push Is Bad Idea

Regarding “Convicts Star in Campaign Against Gangs,” Aug. 29: Just what we need, another asinine idea for crime deterrence. With all the available knowledge on human development, how could any educated person offer this ignorant approach to the serious problem of the antisocial behavior of some of our youth? I’ve worked with young people for nearly 50 years--many of those years in L.A.’s inner city schools, and spent much time learning about human development needs and processes. First, before you try to fix people, one learns that punishment, ridicule, fear, and intimidation do not fix them. If Ventura Dist. Atty. Michael Bradbury wants to present suggestions on how to solve the gang problem, intimidation is not the answer. All it arouses is more resentment and hatred--which is already in abundance.

Working toward a solution means we need to understand that gang members are not functioning at the same emotional and spiritual level as their age level. Their bodies are functioning at a young man’s level, but their emotional level is at a very young age. Ever give a five-year-old a hammer? Someone needs to guide, supervise and supply a role model for the child as he emotionally develops. If that doesn’t happen, then adult bodies with child emotions go looking for what they need: support and acceptance. Gang members act out their hate and resentment as any healthy five-year-old, without inhibition. This, unfortunately for everyone, is not socially acceptable at an older age level.

Since kids don’t vote and most adults don’t seem to be interested in doing something truly substantial about the causes of problems of today’s youth, then it appears that people such as Mr. Bradbury will forever go on making asinine presentations which translate into destructive social policy.

RACHEL OTANI

Ojai