Murder Case Highlights Weaknesses in System

Re “Murder Suspect Is No Stranger to Violence,” July 20: The fact that the alleged killer of Samantha Runnion, Alejandro Avila, was tried for assaulting two little girls and found innocent is really a sorry tale of our weak system. This man should have been locked up instead of roaming our streets.

It was noted that Avila had pornographic material on his computer, a common occurrence with sex perverts. This could be one reason we are seeing an epidemic in these crimes.

Willa Miller

Huntington Beach

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I hope that Samantha’s 6-year-old friend receives some of the reward money that has been offered. I feel that her stoic and eloquent description of the murderer was most helpful in a suspect being arrested.

Pat Kubiak

Irvine

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I hereby nominate Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona for governor. Any seconds?

Regi Ausmus

La Verne

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As a former law enforcement official, I am particularly perplexed that the police and the satellite technology experts have not combined their efforts in developing a child location device similar to the technology used in the global positioning system. How many more children have to perish needlessly before this valuable available resource is put to use outside of luxury car navigational systems?

Critics may say that “bugging” children amounts to Big Brother. Query Elizabeth Smart’s and Samantha’s families regarding their willingness to have sacrificed some of their children’s privacy in return for some peace of mind. Let’s get on with it. Too many children remain vulnerable to opportunistic as well as committed predators.

Ronald S. Clark

Santa Monica

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With all the anxiety about children being abducted, there is something that we men can do to help. Parents have told their children not to talk to strangers. When we see a child or children playing in front of the house or at the playground and stop to talk to them, we are breaking down this training.

If you happen to see a child playing and make eye contact, just smile and keep on walking. Do not stop and ask his or her name, offer candy or anything else like that. A simple “Hi” will do, and go about your business. If a parent or other adult is there, speak to the adult first. This will let the child know that the adult accepts your presence. It is a shame that we have to think this way, but I have seen men with the best of intentions stop and talk to children, and this breaks down the precautions the parents have taught.

Gordon Walker

Anaheim