Sheriff Block

I like your March 3 editorial, “Sheriff Dept.’s Long Slide.” However, you don’t go far enough. At the end you only say that [Los Angeles County Sheriff] Sherman Block “has a lot to answer for.”

You should ask for his defeat at the polls if he stubbornly sticks to running again. How many scandals do you need before you realize this guy is a terrible manager? Call for his defeat at the polls now!

JOHN F. MENDEZ

Los Angeles

* Even if all the discrepancies listed in your editorial concerning the Sheriff’s Department are totally true without extenuating circumstances, I reject your implied suggestion that Sheriff Block should not be reelected. I am a 34-year resident of an unincorporated county strip in Los Angeles. Every contact I have ever had with the Sheriff’s Department has been with intelligent, polite, knowledgeable, efficient and friendly young men and women. Every need for their services has been quickly and quietly met.

So, if their housekeeping management skills leave something to be desired, their essential mission is nonetheless being accomplished in an exemplary fashion. I am not sure why anyone would want to be in public office in these days of constant witch hunting; but if Sheriff Block decides to run, he’s got my vote.

MARY ANN SCOTT

Los Angeles