More About the Lousy Tip

Last week, your paper printed a letter from Mr. Tanabe who was “bashing” local law enforcement, particularly Det. Murphy, for a Tip of the Week titled “Family Safety is Paramount.”

Det. Murphy’s tip was, if you have a firearm in your home, keep it locked up and out of reach of children and keep ammunition separate.

Mr. Tanabe felt this tip was “worthless, arrogant and idiotic.” I wonder what the mother/father of a child killed by an unlocked loaded firearm would have to say to that?

I grew up in a law enforcement family. I was taught that a gun can kill, and more importantly, innocent lives are lost because someone was careless, ignorant, or just plain too stupid to think of safety. The guns in my home are, always have been, and always will be, locked up for the safety of our family and friends.

Most cops don’t sleep with a loaded gun under their pillow as naturally as they eat a daily donut as stated by Mr. Tanabe. The cops I know, became cops to make this world a safer place to live. The cops I know cry when they watch the news and see a child was killed by a loaded firearm that wasn’t secure. They cry when they lose their partner by a gun at the hand of some ignorant fool. They leave their homes every day, not knowing if they will come home to their families at the end of it.

I thank Det. Murphy for taking time out of his day to put a “safety tip” in the paper. Why? Because that tip just might have made someone secure their firearm and save a life. These are tips, not opinions!

There might not be a cop in every home to keep you safe, but these cops try to bring safety to every home. The cops that Mr. Tanabe claims “dish out senseless advice but who exempt themselves from such stupidity” are the same cops that put their lives on the line to save another. They are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and friends. Before throwing stones, try standing in their shoes. They are some pretty big shoes to fill!

Thank you Det. Murphy and the Sheriff’s Department, for making my community a safer place to live. Mr. Tanabe said, “no tip is better than a lousy one.” I say, “Stuff a donut in that ignorant mouth of yours Mr. Tanabe, and the next time you open it, let it say something worthwhile.”

Daniel Tenerelli

La Crescenta