Police Needed on Patrol

For several weeks, readers of the Valley Edition of The Times were treated to a picture and brief biographies of LAPD senior lead police officers who were being reassigned from patrol operations to community operations. This, one of the many recommendations of the Christopher Commission report.

Each day, I saw another officer who would no longer be assigned to calls for help from distressed residents of the Valley.

Each day, I saw another officer who would not be in his police car, visible on patrol, to repress criminal activity in the Valley.

Each day, I saw another officer who would not be available to render assistance to stranded motorists.

Yesterday, for the third time in eight years, my neighbor’s burglar alarm went off. I called LAPD to respond and check the home.

On the first two occasions, the officers arrived in less than four minutes. Yesterday, it took over 35 minutes before officers arrived at the scene.

Thank you, Christopher Commission. I feel ever so much safer now that your study has shown what is needed in Los Angeles.

LOUIS C. CASTLE

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