Readers React: Kathryn Steinle: Protecting the citizens of S.F.

Father Cameron Faller, second left, of Restorative Justice Ministry conducts a vigil for Kathryn Steinle, July 6, 2015, on Pier 14 in San Francisco. Steinle was gunned down on July 1, while out for an evening stroll at Pier 14 with her father and a family friend.

July 7, 2015 4 PM PT

To the editor: There won’t be any sizable demonstrations or public protests over this killing. (“5-time deportee held in killing,” July 4, and “Shooting stirs immigration policy debate,” July 5).

The family and friends of Kathryn Steinle are no doubt affected and will receive sympathy from others, but no government agency nor official will offer an apology for the policies and politics responsible for this American’s death.

No one will be held accountable. There will be no admission of guilt or fault, no change in the practice of shielding the lawless.

The San Francisco police, under directives from city leaders to be selectively cooperative with federal law enforcement, can read the statement issued by an immigration agency spokesperson, that “the detainer was not honored,” and not feel guilty.

They were just following orders.

Glenn Toth, Playa del Rey

To the editor: San Francisco, an “open city” to those who break federal immigration laws, feels that the sensibilities of its citizens would be so severely offended if convicted criminals were returned (at taxpayer expense) to their home countries that it dare not submit its citizens to that degree of excruciating mental distress.

Instead, it encourages men like the convicted felon who had been deported repeatedly to roam its streets with impunity.

A natural consequence of this policy is the recent broad-daylight random killing of an innocent woman.

Ermanno Signorelli, Mar Vista Crest

To the editor: So glad we didn’t violate Francisco Sanchez’s civil rights.

Those of Steinle — well, that’s another story.
Philip Miller, Venice