Proposal to Move Forensic Patients

Thank you for “Neighbors Fight State’s Plan for Retarded Suspects” (May 6), on the forensic clients of the state Department of Developmental Services. The forensic expansion and treatment program at Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona owes part of its design to input by an advisory board of elected representatives of surrounding communities, local law enforcement and the families of non-forensic clients presently making their home at Lanterman.

The clients you profiled showed the complexity of caring for mentally retarded people who have come to the attention of the courts for a wide variety of reasons and who need a secure environment to be provided treatment. The security considerations and the makeup of the forensic program promise to serve these people, who need to be treated and protected at least as much as the general population needs to be protected from them.

THERESA DeBELL, Member

Parents and Friends

Coordinating Council

Lanterman Development Center

Venice

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NIMBY? You bet! Pomona, Walnut and Diamond Bar have every right to protest the absurd expenditure of tax dollars to house 75 forensic patients at Lanterman State Hospital. The proposed move of patients from Porterville would entail building 16-foot fences, four guard towers and the hiring of 38 additional security guards.

In spite of the appealing photo, which showed a gentle-appearing senior in his room with stuffed animals and crayon drawings, this man and many of the others to be moved is an admitted child molester. Others have been arrested for burglary, rape, sodomy, assault and murder. Is anyone in Sacramento worried about the Little League youngsters playing adjacent to the Pomona facility, to say nothing of the developmentally challenged children already housed there? Porterville has had escapes and so will Lanterman.

If Porterville is overcrowded by 75 patients, it would seem to make more sense to move 75 of their nonviolent patients to Lanterman and keep the forensic patients there, where the security measures and safeguards are already in place.

JOANNE VESCIO

Walnut