Back this badge? Not a chance
Re “An unsettling portrait of ‘America’s Sheriff,’ ” Oct. 31
Although I am the first to admit that all persons accused of any crime are innocent unless proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona has been a total joke and an embarrassment to the law enforcement community. He became marshal and then sheriff simply by aligning himself with wealthy and influential Orange County power brokers.
I’ve written several letters to the editor regarding his unprofessional conduct, and will again say the voters of Orange County blew it when they failed to elect Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters -- a true policing professional -- back in 1998.
Jim Weyant
Big Bear City
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Without suggesting or implying any determination of Carona’s guilt or innocence as to the federal indictment, there are excellent reasons why he should promptly resign.
Carona deserves to be able to devote all his time to his defense. The citizens of Orange County deserve the undivided attention of their sheriff to law enforcement -- and only law enforcement. The deputies and employees of the Orange County sheriff’s office deserve to be able to coordinate joint law enforcement efforts with all federal agencies without any actual or perceived conflicts of interest or distracting pressures.
David J. Stiller
Costa Mesa
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As a resident of Orange County, (south Orange County, to be precise) it is heartwarming to see Carona get his due. He never had the integrity to be sheriff, and Brad Gates (Carona’s predecessor) had more character in his little finger than Carona could ever comprehend. I agree with Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach: Carona needs to resign.
Chuck Sharp
Capistrano Beach