Addressing L.A. County’s Gang Problem

* Re “Treating L.A.’s Gang Problem: We Need ‘Root’ Doctors,” Opinion, Feb. 9: Bravo Luis Rodriguez! Amen to your words, “Any society that does not take care of the material, spiritual and educational needs of its children--in fact the whole community . . . has failed.”

Who has failed? How about those elected officials? What with all that rhetoric, grandstanding and embarrassment to the pueblo of Los Angeles, what have they failed to do? Just look at the neighborhood and reflect on all the potential that is yet to be unleashed.

However, fear not! The voters are awakening. The system works fine (see the Orange County election of Loretta Sanchez). Take note, Eastside representatives, you may finally have to do something for a change--find a job!

FATHER TONY GONZALEZ

Boyle Heights

* I disagree with The Times’ assessment (editorial, Feb. 9) that dividing anti-gang funds to be spent equally throughout Los Angeles County is “emblematic of what ails Los Angeles County and its cities.” The decisive action of the Board of Supervisors to not delay putting those limited funds directly into communities and programs that will make a positive difference represents a sharp break from the traditional anti-gang funding of big, ineffective programs that are heavy with overhead and administrative costs and short on results.

I agree with The Times’ observation that gangs “don’t choose their turf with regard to electoral boundaries.” But experience has shown us that effective gang programs must be tailored to individual communities. We are fortunate to have a number of successful community-based anti-gang programs that are doing a great job and desperately need additional funding.

As for the assertion that the action by the board “could result in separate anti-gang programs operating at cross-purposes,” I am hard-pressed to think of two anti-gang programs with cross purposes. The purpose of all anti-gang programs is to decrease the violence and increase the peace. Los Angeles County’s gang problem has become a tragic generational cycle that requires swift action, innovative thinking and putting resources into the front lines--not searching for the ever-elusive panacea anti-gang program.

DON KNABE

Supervisor, Fourth District

County of Los Angeles

* Why do boys join gangs? Peer pressure. What can wipe out gangs? Social pressure.

Long overdue is a massive media crusade to depict gang members just as they are: sneaks, cowards, morons, jail fodder, human vermin less attractive than herpes.

Working together, television, radio, newspapers, cartoons and billboards can give gangs such public stigma that younger kids will equate joining a gang with falling down a privy. Let’s take the attractiveness out of gang mem- bership.

GEORGE W. FEINSTEIN

Altadena