It Actually Might Be a City of Angels

Re “Homicide Isn’t in This Picture,” May 7: Though the article correctly identified many of the innovative ideas resulting in this dramatic decrease of crime in Hollywood, it failed to mention the one person who brought it all together. Capt. Michael P. Downing’s (now commander at LAPD South Bureau) longtime tenure as the commanding officer of Hollywood Division deserves the kudos. His innate ability to bring together the often-disjointed and disparate stakeholders of the multiethnic Hollywood community for the sake of public safety and improving the daily quality of life is a truly remarkable expression of community policing.

Chaim S. Kolodny

Hollywood

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I moved to Hollywood more than seven years ago. After reading your article on how the area had improved, I walked to my bank on Sunset Boulevard. As I was returning with more than $100 in my pocket, I heard a woman yell, “Excuse me!” I turned to see my money being blown around the sidewalk by the wind. This good Samaritan helped me collect it, and I didn’t lose a single bill.

In the last few weeks, I haven’t been thinking that positively about my adopted city due to racial rumors at the schools (I teach for LAUSD) and the freeway shootings. My encounter with this woman renewed my faith that there are angels walking around disguised as mere human beings. I have e-mailed friends and family in the U.S. and Europe to tell them about this for a couple of reasons. First, I want them to know they can visit Hollywood without fear. Second, people of different races look out for each other here.

Deirdre Sexton

Los Angeles