Demonstrations by Operation Rescue

The Long Beach Police Department has demonstrated an interesting contrast in its approach to law enforcement. When two black men chose to merely drive through the city in an entirely lawful manner, their vehicle was stopped without probable cause and one of them was subsequently taken into custody on unfounded charges. When several hundred followers of Operation Rescue blockaded a women’s health clinic in violation of both law and a federal court order, not a single arrest was made.

When questioned about his actions at the clinic, Police Chief Lawrence Binkley is reported to have defended the lack of arrests by saying, “Long Beach doesn’t need this right now” (Part I, March 25). Apparently, Binkley was concerned about how making arrests would look. The chief completely missed both a good opportunity and the point. To be seen enforcing the law, instead of trying to be the law, is exactly what his department needs right now.

DAVID LEVY

Irvine