Mailbag: Closed-circuit TV could make Wilson Park safer
Having arrived in town a few weeks ago from South County, I was confronted with an article in the Daily Pilot. I was gobsmacked to learn that out of many parks in Costa Mesa, I moved next to the one with the greatest amount of recent police activity (“Wilson Park under increased patrols as crime moves there from Lions Park,” Aug. 25).
One must conclude that City Hall is throwing serious budget surplus at this problem. But it took until late August to emerge.
The article included various civic sources — the Costa Mesa Police Department, City Hall officials and a city spokesman — suggesting that the situation was bad for law-abiding citizens and no one will stand for it.
At first pass, the situation would seem tailor-made for Eastside residents partnering with the parks department and then relying on the Costa Mesa Police Department for logistical field support.
In the interim, let’s put down a temporary, modular unit for staff and nonprofit friends of the park to use, and then light up the park with closed-circuit television. Technology and personnel working in tandem might help suppress a growing social cost.
It’s been said that the true quality of life is defined best as being at peace with your surroundings. The article made me feel anxious and disquieted, with no hope for a reasoned outcome.
Duff Owens Wilmoth
Costa Mesa
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U.S. should take more refugees
There is a refugee crisis, and the U.S. needs to show leadership and kindness by accepting these refugees from Syria and elsewhere. Germany is accepting up to 800,000 refugees while we are only accepting a minimum of 10,000. We have the wealth to do it, so let’s do it.
Shalizeh Jahedmanesh
Irvine
*Support our police officers
A while back the slogan “love wins” was flooding the internet.
Primarily used after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, the words seem to have become transparent on social media and everyone went back to their normal posts of daily annoyances, shots of food and pictures of their dogs.
However, we need to keep these words in mind. Make it a way of life. Love is not a fad.
This doesn’t just pertain to same-sex marriage. This applies to our law enforcement too. There is so much nonsense going on in America with the police killings. We all need to take a stand.
Officers risk their lives for us. We need to show them we care, we are here for them and they still have our support.
It’s simple. Love wins.
Jenn Torres
Huntington Beach
The writer works in Newport Beach.