County Pools

* The pools in our community have traditionally been a safe haven during the hot summer months for youngsters to cool off and learn to swim. It is unfortunate that one incident at the Will Rogers Park pool (June 30) has cast a negative light in the community which is keeping children away from the pools at Will Rogers Park and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

It is important to note that the incident was not solely in response to the fees imposed by the county for recreational swimming, but was definitely gang related.

Security is in place and the pools are open and ready to serve the needs of all members of the community. Through the efforts of Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, and organizations such as the Southern California Gas Co. and Shell Oil and the Save Our Pools campaign, we will be able to meet our commitment to make sure that everyone, but especially the children, once again find the neighborhood pool a safe and fun haven.

We invite everyone back, especially the youngsters who wish to learn to swim. The Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, as it has done in the last eight years, also continues to provide the county with more than $30,000 to help youngsters learn how to swim.

RODNEY E. COOPER, Director

County of Los Angeles

Department of Parks and Recreation