Mailbag:

Despite the presence of a plainly posted sign that clearly states, “No skateboarding on school property,” the outdoor amphitheater at Dwyer Middle School has become a de facto skateboard park. Dozens skate there on a daily basis, and at busy times there are that many there all at once. Many of those skaters drive their cars to Dwyer so they can utilize the skateboarding facilities.

While the school’s administration has completely given up on trying to enforce the skateboarding ban, the police still occasionally chase the skaters away, sometimes even telling them to go from their helicopter.

Shortly after the police leave, the skaters return, so that just seems like a waste of police time and taxpayer money. When a skater seriously injures themselves at Dwyer, then sues the city for negligence, much more taxpayer money will be wasted.

Simple, low-cost solutions implemented now will prevent those large monetary losses later. A few dozen small holes and bolt-on bumps applied in strategic spots, and a single gate (locked open during school hours and closed afterward), installed at the top of the short stairway that leads to 14th Street, will effectively put the Dwyer skateboard park out of business.

Coyote solution is on the fence

Regarding “‘Never feed a coyote,’” Feb. 25:

The woman in the article needs to check out www.coyoteroller.com.

They have rollers that you put on top of your fence to stop the coyotes from scaling the fence. Her backyard can be safe again. The coyotes were inhabitants of this area before us. What gives us the right to get rid of them now that we have moved in? People want to live close to nature areas but then can’t live with the nature that exists there.

Also, she awoke to find her small dog being attacked ... what was it doing out all night?

Cat owners need to be more responsible, too. Cats do not belong outside. If they live outside, they really aren’t owned by anyone.

Traps are not the most efficient way

The Huntington Beach City Council does not have the ability to solve the coyote issue, but residents do. Trapping and killing the coyotes is only a short-term Band-Aid solution. Territories opened up by the trapping will soon be filled by other animals. Random trapping of animals, rather than selecting animals that are unusually aggressive, may only make the problem worse. Non-aggressive animals trapped and killed could very well be replaced by more aggressive animals who move into the newly opened territory.

What will reduce the number of coyotes in an area, however, is the lack of food. Simple changes in our behavior, as pointed out in your article, will cause them to move on. Don’t leave small animals outside, don’t leave pet food or water outside, and keep trash cans covered. These few simple steps will discourage coyotes from remaining in one’s neighborhood. We have coyotes all over our city, so it is important for all of us to stop providing them food.

There are natural reasons coyotes are out

I want to amend something I said at the City Council study session (and quoted in Vicki Hogue’s letter) about coyotes not being the problem, people are the problem (“Keeping pets indoors will prevent attacks,” Mailbag, Feb. 25). What I should have said is that residents contribute to the problem of coyotes foraging in their yards, but they are not solely responsible. As was pointed out in the Natural Perspectives column (“Monarch butterflies prove to be elusive,” Feb. 25), drought is likely the main cause of why the coyotes have been foraging outside their normal areas. A secondary cause is likely loss of foraging habitat at Bolsa Chica with the houses being built there. With those double whammies, it’s no wonder coyotes have increasingly turned to people’s yards for nourishment.

I hope residents and officials continue to work together to keep residents safe and coyotes out of people’s yards.

Bike loss leaves boys devastated

Late on a recent afternoon, my grandson and his friend rode their BMX bikes to Main Street to have dinner. They locked them up with two locks underneath the Huntington Beach Pier. The bikes were stolen, and the boys were devastated.

Each had saved up money to buy these very expensive bikes. Riding them was a big part of their life. And that was taken away from them. They are good kids and do all the right things. It breaks my heart to see how hurt they are.

Because of the criminal acts of a few individuals lacking a conscience, many people are affected. It erodes our enjoyment of our city and impinges on our freedom and trust.

We must speak out and report crimes when we see them.