Down on Downey Nativity Scene : Praises City Stand Against Sanctuary

I would like to comment on the article “Bellflower Council’s Anti-Sanctuary Stand Appears to Be Lonely One” (Southeast / Long Beach sections, Jan. 12).

First, I have to applaud the council of a small city like Bellflower for taking a stand on a hot political issue. The City Council voted 4-0 (Councilman Ray O’Neal abstained) to oppose efforts to have local governments declare their cities as sanctuaries for illegal aliens.

Councilman O’Neal stated, “Los Angeles doesn’t need us to tell them how to run things. It is none of our business.” I would suggest it is Bellflower’s business as well as that of the 80-plus cities that surround Los Angeles.

Does Councilman O’Neal really think that if thousands of illegal aliens flock to Los Angeles and ask for sanctuary that they will reside only in Los Angeles? If they should choose to locate in Long Beach, Downey, Cerritos, Bellflower or anyplace out of the Los Angeles city limits, who is going to pay for the services that these people would need? Someone has to pick up the tab for police protection, fire and rescue/paramedic service, housing, medical, education and on and on.

--BOB CONNER

Bellflower