Gang Activity

Re “Police, Leaders Discuss Increase in Violence,” June 13: I believe that the recent upward spike in violent crime in Los Angeles can be directly linked to the political overreaction to the Rampart Station police corruption case. Granted, a few cops engaged in illegal activities, some clearly for personal gain, others in the belief that extraordinary threats to the common good required extralegal measures. Such unlawful behavior by members of the police force cannot be tolerated and must be subject to appropriate punishment.

However, the abandonment of anti-gang strike forces legally and effectively executed (which I believe is the standard upheld by the vast majority of Los Angeles’ police officers) is a foolish knee-jerk response to these corruption charges. Quite clearly evil exists in L.A. and most of its citizens rely on and support those who make up “the thin blue line.” It is apparent that the gangbangers among us believe that a softer anti-gang posture is indeed an invitation to increase their violent activities.

JOSEPH F. PAGGI JR.

Pasadena