It was a different time, but she could have used a cell phone

This has nothing to do with the use of cell phones during school

hours. The reason I am in favor of kids using cell phones is for

their own safety. They may appear to be a foolish luxury, but they

really are life savers.

One day, in 1962, when I was walking home on 5th Street, I noticed

a man in a Ford Ranch Wagon driving by very slowly. Then I saw it

circling each consecutive block as I was walking home. Finally, I saw

it parked outside my house. In those days there were no safe houses

or block parents, let alone 911, so all I could do was duck and hide

until he was out of sight. If I had a cell phone I could have

notified the police, and that would have put my mind at ease.

Grace Hampton

Burbank