Shootout

The April 22 follow-up story on the North Hollywood shootout did not accurately reflect my views. The police and fire personnel on the scene in North Hollywood were heroes who saved many citizens from injury and death at great risk to themselves. I am committed to fighting the frivolous lawsuits filed on behalf of one of the bank robbers’ children, and want the city to be fully prepared to take this case to trial, not pay out a multimillion-dollar settlement.

I have not called for the City Council to initiate an official probe of the shootout. I have, however, asked for a briefing from the city attorney’s office on the fiscal liability issues arising from this case. This briefing is in keeping with a council motion I introduced to institute major changes in how the city defends itself against litigation. The city has paid out an outrageous $72 million in connection with claims and litigation since May 1996.

LAURA CHICK

Los Angeles City Council

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All three letters (April 24) used unacceptable lynch-mob logic to reach their conclusions that Emil Matasareanu deserved to bleed to death because of his illegal actions. The fact is that Matasareanu died an innocent man that day. A “technicality” of the Constitution guaranteed him that innocence until he could be proven guilty.

You people just don’t get it, do you? This is not the Middle Ages.

GERALD JONES

Los Angeles