Barrage by Deputies Is Seen as Overkill

Re “2 Hurt in Deputies’ Crossfire,” May 10: Again, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department appears out of control.

With no regard for their own lives or the lives of Compton residents, Los Angeles deputies still display the “shoot ‘em up” mentality that has come to represent everywhere the negative image of Los Angeles police.

Sheriff Lee Baca says he would consider possible changes to the department’s pursuit policy depending on the outcome of the investigation, although he doesn’t believe any changes would be needed. I suppose we can expect another whitewash from internal affairs.

As a former Los Angeles resident, who moved away years ago, I rejoice that I do not have to fear the local police where I now live.

John Orr

Toledo, Ohio

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It would serve Baca well to remember his roots as a street cop. I find it shameful that he is making statements that indicate the second-guessing and prejudging have already begun.

Baca needs to put faith and trust into the entities that will investigate the shooting. In the meantime, he should withhold comments and statements that only serve to erode public trust in the training, qualification and split-second judgment of deputies. The public deserves better.

Michael R. Grimler

Los Alamos, N.M.

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How in the world could so many armed officers shoot as many rounds as they did at an unarmed suspect?

I just don’t get it -- and so many homes hit with stray bullets. It’s a miracle that the incident didn’t cause more damage, and thank God that no innocent people were struck with the stray bullets.

I saw it over and over again and couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. What were they shooting at? They were acting like sharks tasting blood during a feeding frenzy. Shameful.

With so many shots fired, I believe that the deputies are bad shots and got lucky that the suspect lived. Do these officers need more target-shooting practice or do we let them continue to be bad shots because chances seem pretty good that something like this will happen again?

Alex Sokolov

South Pasadena

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Police let go with 120 rounds in a neighborhood. Officer wounded by “friendly fire” in the frenzy. Unarmed suspect survives?!

Dare I venture the concept? Bad judgment and worse shooting could be the first real signs of police overpopulation.

Kurt Kroeger

San Dimas

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It is silly for Baca to say, “We have to ask ourselves why did 10 people shoot their weapons as opposed to five.” Obviously, with only one bullet in 30 hitting the intended target/suspect, a small barrage of 10 or 20 bullets would have resulted in the suspect remaining uninjured and free to continue racing through the streets at speeds up to 35 mph!

And I don’t understand why community activists get so upset about police shootings. With an accuracy rate of 3%, it’s a miracle anyone was shot at all.

Gayle Ellett

Topanga