Lost Faith in the System

On July 6 at 5 p.m., my father, 72, was mugged in broad daylight right outside Bullock’s at Sherman Oaks Fashion Square.

With him were my two children, 11 and 5. They witnessed the event and when they ran into Bullock’s, yelling and crying, no one helped them. People just looked away.

I have been told that this is not uncommon at this or other malls. I cannot understand why there are no signs warning people that these incidents happen frequently or why there isn’t a larger security staff. We certainly thought Fashion Square was safe; we go there at least once or twice a week. Had we any warning of the dangers there, perhaps my father would have been able to better protect himself.

Thank God my father was not murdered. Getting slugged in the face and losing his Rolex watch is not the end of the world. But the trauma of seeing his grandfather attacked and the knowledge that no one cared to help has been intense for my young son, who is terrified of everything now--including going back to the mall.

We heard about the “follow-home” burglaries through The Times and that alerted the public to that danger. Now we find out that malls have become the new “target” and that the parking lots are especially dangerous.

My children were home with a baby-sitter recently. They thought a man was trying to break in the door. When they called 911 for help, they were told that they would have to wait until the intruder actually broke into the house--this to a 14-year-old who was caring for an 11-year-old and a 5-year-old.

Why would anyone tell a child that the police can’t help? Is it any wonder that people have no confidence in the country anymore? I have lost faith in our criminal justice system and in the basic goodness and common sense in people. My children will never have it to lose.

LINDA SCHWARTZ-WRIGHT

Van Nuys