Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Setting Limits for Citizens Sick of Crime

Frustration over crime appears to be building, as evidenced in two recent incidents in the Valley.

Earlier this month, authorities said they arrested two men for trying to rid a neighborhood of a drug dealer after attempting to blow up the man’s car with a homemade bomb.

William Andrew Masters II, who shot two taggers in Sun Valley in January, killing one, has argued that his constitutional right of self-defense was violated by Los Angeles’ policy of refusing to issue permits for concealed weapons.

Such measures taken by private citizens can alarm the public as much as the criminals themselves. The ramifications of such actions scare many who worry about a futuristic world with an armed citizenry thought to have gone out of style with the Old West.

How far is too far when a resident wants to fight crime?

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon:

“I think when citizens try to prevent crime without working with the police they can get into a lot of trouble, not in a legal way but in a dangerous way. Generally speaking, if they include a legitimate law enforcement agency and work with the police it is better. . . . We have to push the relations with the police to accept the willingness of the people to work with them.”

Gideon Kanner of Burbank, professor of law emeritus at Loyola Law School:

“When the people feel threatened by criminal behavior and when they feel an appeal to the police and the courts is futile, then vigilantism will rear its head. . . . John Marshall, the great chief justice, said the first duty of government is to protect the citizenry. When the government fails in that, you should not act surprised when people take that action.”

Allan Parachini, public affairs director, American Civil Liberties Union in Los Angeles:

“The Constitution and the American system of government limits not only what police can do to alleged criminals but limits what anyone can do to alleged criminal suspects. . . . It is stupid and dangerous and foolhardy for private citizens to play police because it is too easy for mistakes and tragedies to occur. . . . We have long supported civil participation and cooperation with the police, and people very much should be alert to illegal activity. When they see it, then it should be turned over to a legitimate law enforcement agency. If they are reluctant to do it, then they need to be participating in the process of demanding a higher quality of law enforcement.”

Tom Weissbarth, president of Sylmar Graffiti Busters:

“I believe real strongly in working with the police. It generally is a lot safer than the alternative, which boils down pretty much to working against them. Observe, document, report and work with them as much as you can. . . . Work with other people in your community. Know all your neighbors and know which are their cars and which do not belong. . . . The more often you can be available for meetings where information and trends on crime from police are available, the better.”