Crime Fears Prompt Growing Use of Chemical Sprays

Fears about violent crime are causing more and more Californians to turn to chemical weapons, legal or not.

Law enforcement authorities report a sharp rise in licenses issued to carry tear gas, an eye irritant that can cause temporary blindness. Authorities also note a thriving underground market for pepper gas, a potent spray illegal for civilian use in California.

“The riots, gang problems, carjackings. Some people are really scared,” said Rod Hibben of the California Department of Justice.

Hibben said tear gas can be an effective weapon. “It gives you a chance to defend yourself at 10 feet without killing someone,” but training is required to use it safely.

Apparently some consumers are passing up tear gas for more powerful pepper gas, a concoction that can cause breathing difficulties when sprayed in the face, and a prolonged burning sensation. Hibben said pepper gas, legal in other parts of the country, is “flooding into the state” via mail order, swap meets or door-to-door pitchmen.

It is easier for teen-agers to obtain pepper gas than it is for police departments. Los Angeles police needed special clearance from the state Department of Justice to test pepper gas in the field. The test is now underway.

Meanwhile, Hibben said, uncontrolled use of pepper gas is causing problems. Hibben said teen-agers in one San Joaquin Valley community sprayed pepper gas into the air vent outside a local bar. “It emptied the place,” Hibben said.

Have lunch box, will travel: “Dear Lena P. Brooks,” the letter began. “Now you can earn free travel--even if you’re not a frequent flier.”

All Lena need do, the letter explained, is return her R.S.V.P. certificate to apply for the Citibank AAdvantage Mastercard or Visa card. As soon as she gets her card, Lena can start piling up mileage points “for free trips to exciting destinations” on American Airlines.

A pretty tempting offer, especially to 4-year-old Lena. (Lena’s mother, Times reporter Nancy Rivera Brooks, shared the solicitation with us.)

Such inadvertent solicitations of children may have happened more frequently a few years ago when credit card firms were very aggressive in their marketing programs. But these firms now say they are more careful about their solicitations.

We called Citibank to find out if the big New York bank, after working its way through the college ranks, is now targeting the preschool crowd. A Citibank spokeswoman said Lena’s name was on a list of frequent fliers provided by American Airlines. “We’re not issuing cards to 4-year-olds,” the spokeswoman said.

Burger blues: Consumers are worried about the safety of hamburgers served at fast-food restaurants, a new survey shows.

Sandelman & Associates of Brea said more than half the Los Angeles consumers surveyed said they were “very concerned” about the safety of fast food. More than 60% said they were “very concerned” about food at Jack in the Box.

The survey was conducted after more than 250 people in Washington state became ill after eating undercooked, contaminated meat at Jack in the Box restaurants. The incident has caused the U.S. Department of Agriculture to re-examine its meat inspection program.

Sandelman & Associates predicted fears about food safety wouldn’t last. It noted that the people least concerned about safety are those who eat at fast-food restaurants most.