Still strong -- and quick on the dial
A March 4 letter, titled “Less-Than-Fierce Guards at the Gates,” implied that a residential gate guard who was hard of hearing and at least 60 years old would be unable to provide any protection to the homeowners.
Most men between the ages of 60 and 85 have served in the military -- in Asia or Europe -- and due to this experience many have been trained to kill.
Apparently, the letter writer failed to read another article in the paper, in which a bus full of U.S. seniors was assaulted in Costa Rica by three armed young men. One of the seniors disarmed one of the bandits and broke his neck, which caused the other two to jump off the bus.
BOB GORMAN
Lomita
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Does the reader really think that a 30-year-old bodybuilder, rather than a man “possibly pushing 70,” would provide better protection at the guardhouse of a gated community?
Guards are not expected to physically restrain someone who does not have permission to enter, nor are they armed. Someone with criminal intent could easily drive past. And the guard on duty could take the license plate number of the vehicle and quickly call 911.
Age or gender should have no bearing on who staffs the post, as long as they are capable of quick action to call for help.
JEANETTE A. FRATTO
Laguna Niguel
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