Mailbag - April 4, 2002
The Huntington Beach Police Department and the residents of our city
deserve credit for the reduced crime statistics. Huntington Beach is, for
the most part, a safe city because residents watch out for each other and
the police are responsive to our calls. Increased participation in
Neighborhood Watch programs, combined with resident awareness, will go a
long way to further prevent property theft.
Common sense would dictate that valuables be kept out of sight, car
and home doors and windows locked and garage doors should be closed when
no one is present. One should not assume that valuables left unattended
will be safe any time, anywhere.
The issue of crime statistics is one worthy of discussion. I was
puzzled by Sgt. Gary Meza’s comment that we have gone two years in a row
without a homicide in the city. I know Meza from my community
volunteerism in the Oakview neighborhood and he is a good and honest
police officer, however less than one year ago, in the early morning of
May 5, 2001, an 18-year-old Latino resident was shot and killed by a
Huntington Beach Police officer.
Antonio Saldivar was mourned by his family, friends, neighbors and
community members as a victim of violence. Antonio’s killing was a
tragedy and most likely accidental but is obviously not counted as a
homicide by the police department.
Is there another category among the violent crime statisticsthat would
account for him? If not, then I think we have to rethink the real value
of these statistics. I would hate to think that Huntington Beach forgot
Antonio, or even worse doesn’t care.
JEFF LEBOW
Huntington Beach
Riding his hobby horse ‘round heaven
Having known George Arnold for almost 50 years I was very saddened to
hear of his death. He will not only be remembered as a legend but, in my
eyes, an angel who always had a kind word and a smile (toothless of
course). I remember as a young child buying avocados from him at Hilltop
Liquor and Christmas poinsettias at the pier. He used to come into the
Snack ShopRestaurant, order coffee (which was all he could afford) and we
would sneak him baked potatoes and cream pies -- he couldn’t eat too many
things. One Christmas, I received a beautiful (gaudy) Christmas pin,
which I proudly wore on my waitress uniform. I’m sure it was from the
99-cent table at Thrifty Drug on the corner. But that was George, trying
to please others when he couldn’t afford more then coffee and sometimes
had no shoes.
I have lived in Hawaii for six years and have corresponded with him
during that time, remembering his birthday and other holidays. His
childlike letters always brought a tear to my eye and, of course, a
smile. I didn’t hear back from him after his most recent birthday earlier
this year, but I loved getting his letters and saved them all. And I know
he loved getting mine. He even sent me his campaign T-shirt (as a child
on a pony) and never failed to tell me he “loved me” and hoped my husband
wouldn’t mind. I’m sure that George is smiling in heaven (maybe he even
has teeth now?) and he can ride his pony anywhere he desires. He must be
so pleased to read all the kind things that have been printed about him
and he surely would have loved to hear them while he while he was alive.
Keep smiling and riding sweet George, you will truly never be
forgotten.
Aloha and a hui hou (until we meet again.)
GLENDA SWEARINGEN-SIFF
Kailua, Hawaii
Formerly of Huntington Beach
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