Letters: Bad news for Sheriff Baca

Re “Scandal fallout for Baca unclear,” Dec. 11

To answer the question of whether voters care about the seemingly endless misdeeds, misjudgments and incompetence by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department under Lee Baca’s management, the answer is a resounding yes.

I do care. And I’d like to think that the majority of my fellow L.A. residents feel the same way, enough to go to the ballot box next year and get rid of Baca.

It is mind-boggling to think that not only has this man been allowed to keep his job, he and others — like former Gov. Gray Davis and former L.A. City Atty. Carmen Trutanich — still believe he is worthy of another term. Are you kidding me?

Any CEO in a private corporation with Baca’s record would have been dumped long ago. We should do the same with our sheriff.

Roy Friedland

Los Angeles

As with all incumbents, it’s right to ask why Baca should be reelected. Here’s why:

- There has been a significant decline in violent crimes within the sheriff’s jurisdiction.

- The sheriff genuinely cares about the “little people.” He personally served and fed hundreds of meals to the homeless last Christmas and will do so again this year.

- Baca is a leader in community-based policing. He has advisory councils from every ethnic, religious and racial community in Los Angeles County.

- Baca has instituted numerous innovative education programs in his department. Unfortunately, there are bad apples everywhere, but the vast majority of deputies are honest, hardworking men and women.

- Innovative education programs have been created for jail inmates, who can take advantage of programs while in custody so that they can further their rehabilitation.

- Baca was recently named sheriff of the year by the National Sheriffs’ Assn. and was recently honored by the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

Not a bad record to run on for reelection.

Andrew Friedman

Los Angeles

The writer, an L.A. County commissioner on local governmental services, is a special advisor to Baca.

ALSO:

Letters: Santa needs better hours

Letters: Two views of the Global Hawk

Letters: Wine’s for drinking, not collecting