"Wild West" Chase Shows Disconnect

August 4, 2006

Dear Editor,

On Friday, July 28th I witnessed an incident at Virginia Avenue Park that I hope never happens again. At around 5 p.m. I was at Virginia Avenue Park with my three children and as we were playing a police officer ran past us with his gun drawn chasing what turned out to be an unarmed 16-year-old.

Seeing the gun made me fear for my life and the life of my three children. I thought to myself, why the disregard for the safety of the people surrounding this incident? What is the police policy or practice on chasing unarmed youth who commit non-violent crimes, especially in a public setting like a park?

To make matters worse another police officer on a motorcycle approached the suspected teenager with a gun drawn while on his motorcycle. It was a scene from a western movie, only thing missing was the horse.

I am not an expert on guns, but I can bet that the accuracy of shooting the suspect lessens while running or on a motorcycle. If the suspect had a weapon I can understand but from what I saw this teenager was unarmed.

I still question the practice of anyone pulling guns in close proximity to children and families when there is no apparent imminent threat to the safety of officers or residents. LAPD has discontinued the practice of shooting to kill suspects who turn cars in the direction of officers since 12 year-old Devon Brown was killed by LAPD after a joy ride incident. I hope that this tragedy is not repeated in our community.

Furthermore, this incident really calls to question the City Council's need for accountability in addressing youth violence and community-police relations. These topics were discussed in the two Community Meetings on Gang Violence Prevention a year ago. (see story)

What message does it send when in last City Council meeting Council member Kevin McKeowen failed to get a second on an item he presented to receive a staff report on the progress of the Youth Violence Prevention meetings?

It tells me that there is a real disconnect between the City Council and the residents who endure the real fear of violence in the community. How many more youth need to die before this issue is at least discussed by the City Council? If the affected were the homeless maybe some action would happen?

Adriana Issac
Concerned Santa Monica Resident