Reforming Gang Members

I am from a quiet town in the East and I moved to Los Angeles five years ago for a taste of big-city life. I met and married a wonderful man, who, because of the senseless violence of two murdering dogs who call themselves gang members, will be unable to watch our 2 1/2-year-old son grow up or participate in the joy of the birth of our unborn child.

Richard and I had decided to leave California and seek a safer, less stressful lifestyle in Michigan, due in part to the violence and impropriety of Los Angeles. My son and I had flown out a week earlier and my husband was to make the cross-country drive. On Memorial Day evening, the night before he was to leave, as he vacuumed out his car at a car wash, he was approached by two thugs who shot him in the chest and escaped with nothing. Despite the fact that he was five minutes from the hospital, he could not be saved.

My husband was a productive, hard-working citizen. I lost my best friend and am left to raise two children who won’t be able to experience firsthand the love their father felt for them.

A plea to all the lawmakers: The gang situation is worsening each day--we need justice! Let’s stop this horrifying loss of life before the inane violence claims someone you love.

LEE ANN ARMENTA

Midland, Mich.