A 3-Year-Old Falls to Gang Gunfire
Re “Child Fatally Shot When Gang Members Intervene,” May 11:
It’s obvious that under present conditions society will never be able to control gang violence. Perhaps all gang members should be offered taxpayer-financed instruction on the proper use of firearms so they can learn to hit their intended targets rather than innocent bystanders. Police and the sheriff’s departments’ firing ranges could be made available to gang members on an ongoing basis so they could remain proficient. Who knows, perhaps over time fewer babies and children will be killed and the gangs will eventually succeed in wiping each other out.
Or maybe we could simply lock them all up and throw away the key. There must be something we can do to contain these ignoramuses and offer society the protection it deserves.
Wayne D. Kerr
La Crescenta
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The problem with gangs is that their so-called “turf wars” usually result in the injury or death of an innocent child (as we witness almost weekly). Gang participation is embedded in culture; it’s a lifestyle almost impossible to eradicate. The LAPD’s hands are tied at the moment.
Why do people who live in poor communities always have to be the innocent victims of gang violence? Does poor equal no basic human rights? The least the Police Department and community leaders could do would be to send out fliers warning residents in gang-ridden communities to keep their children inside or away from areas where violence might occur.
Neal Pilkinton
Los Angeles
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I find it sadly ironic that Carol Bellamy’s graphic profile of the plight of children throughout the world (Commentary, May 7) appeared at a time when L.A. is still assigning blame to “poverty” and “despair” when it comes to the sociopathic activities of gangs and gang members.
These gang members have nice, shiny cars to drive. They have enough money to buy guns. They can afford the latest homeboy or homegirl fashions. Their sneakers are spotless. They have access to education, training programs, public assistance and services. Some of them have the dubious privilege of being overweight. They have electricity in their homes. A refrigerator. A bed or two. A television. Paved streets in front of their homes, etc.
The truly poor--those who live beyond the margins of our island of privilege--cannot fathom the wealth of those we consider hopelessly deprived. Let’s all lose the excuses and make a gratitude list instead.
Tara Murphy
Blue Lake, Calif.