MAILBAG - Sept. 24, 2006 - Los Angeles Times

Sept. 24, 2006 12 AM PT

Get the teenagers into Triangle Square too

I am so glad to hear something new is happening at Triangle Square.

We have such wealth in the Newport-Mesa area, and places like Triangle Square should be a center of activities.

As a parent of teenagers, I want a place where kids can hang around safely.

I never really liked the grocery store in the basement. I didn’t feel safe parking in the basement; it was too dark. If that basement space was an arcade with bright neon lighting and loud music, like the ones in Japan (SEGA Game Plaza), parents could drop off and pick up their kids without needing to park. Kids have the freedom to go to the movies, have a snack and play games.

They should put in Dance Dance Revolution machines for fitness. In Japan, they have many small photo booths where girls take photos and swap them with their friends.

I think the key to success is the parking. It will become a new destination for teens. And later in the evening, when the kids are gone, Sutra and Yardhouse and Chronic Cantina can cater to the adult crowd.

MASAKO POPICK

Costa Mesa

Add some pizazz (and pizza) to Triangle Square

My thoughts on what to put in Triangle Square: California Pizza Kitchen, Sprinkles Cupcakes and maybe a bowling alley or a roller rink in the bottom where the grocery store used to be.

SUSAN L. PORTER

Newport Beach

Bird’s death is not more important than woman’s

I consider myself to be an animal lover, but I find it disgusting that there is more emphasis on the death of Rupert than on the poor woman whose body was being recovered at the time of his demise.

Am I the only one offended by Newport Beach City Councilman Tod Ridgeway’s comment? He said, “I just don’t understand what’s the hurry to get to a dead body.” Maybe if it was one of his loved ones floating in the harbor he would feel differently — or at least think before he speaks. Shame on him.

The Harbor Patrol had a job to do, and it did it in a timely manner. Had the boat been going slower, I’m sure someone would be up in arms that they didn’t arrive soon enough.

We live in a beautiful place full of beautiful people where bad things don’t happen, right? It must be easier for us to comprehend the death of a well-known bird versus the reality of a nameless, faceless woman being brutally stabbed to death then dumped in the recreational waters where we cruise in our luxury yachts, past our multimillion-dollar homes. Shame on us all.

DEE DEE KING

Corona Del Mar

Patrol speed should be in line with the emergency

That the Harbor Patrol went speeding to the scene of the report of a dead body floating in the water is uncalled for. This is in line with the Highway Patrol speeding to apprehend a minor driving violation and killing innocent victims in the pursuit.

Granted, the Harbor Patrol should respond immediately and with safe speed to a report of an injury or accident in which certainly the safety of the parties involved is a concern. But a dead body? This seems ludicrous.

Rupert was a very-much-alive swan, and he hung out at the Harbor Patrol area. It would seem that someone would be on the lookout for him and other wildlife or humans who may be coming their way. What about the swimmers?

And we wonder where the “no swimming” signs are posted in the harbor?

We will dearly miss Rupert on our weekly kayak trips in the harbor. He would greet us and eat from our hands.

Slow down and save lives!

SHIRLEY AND GREG REINKER

Newport Beach

Save any new swans from Rupert’s fate

I am devastated by the loss of Rupert and outraged at the way he died. Please do not import any more beautiful swans to the harbor. They are too big of a target for the hot-rodding Harbor Patrol.

KAREN JAMES

Corona del Mar

Speeding patrol boats cause too much damage

I believe the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol boats too often speed through Newport Harbor. I know my boat, which is moored in proximity to the Harbor Patrol dock, has been damaged by excessive wake caused by speeding Harbor Patrol boats. I also know other people whose boats and docks have been damaged by the same thing.

Responding to a homicide with lights and siren, and running flat-out in close proximity to boats and navigation markers so as to strike Rupert the swan as he swam out from behind a boat was a totally reckless and negligent operation on the part of the deputy operating this patrol boat. It could have just as well been a swimmer or a child sailing a sabot.

According to Harbor Patrol Sgt. David Ginther, “The patrol boat could not swerve or it would have hit a navigation marker.” High-speed operations by the Harbor Patrol boats should be confined to the middle of the navigation channel of the bay. There seems to be an inordinate number of such high-speed runs on almost a daily basis, as was mentioned by Harbor Commissioner Seymour Beek in the Daily Pilot.

The Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol must review its policy on “high-speed” Code 3 operations within the confines of the harbor. The next accident could involve more than our harbor’s beloved swan.

FRANK VRANICAR

Corona del Mar

Why couldn’t patrol boat be stopped?

If the officer who ran over Rupert was observant enough to spot Rupert and his proximity to a navigation marker, why wasn’t he alert enough to cut the power? Those boats decelerate quickly when off plane. I guess speeding with a siren comes first.

WARREN JAMES

Corona del Mar

A dirge for Rupert, the harbor’s beloved swan

The flags over City Hall are

Lowered to half mast today

Cause a truly Newport legend

Has gone and passed away.

Poor Rupert’s dead

All gather round his ashes now and cry.

He had a heart of gold

And he wasn’t very old

Oh, why did such a critter have to die?