He Knows Horror Gangs Can Bring
As a teacher in Long Beach, I was interested in reading the (Southeast / /Long Beach sections, Dec. 1) article regarding gangs of Long Beach.
I teach ESL (English as a second language, not East Side Longo) and wondered why some of my Latino students were writing ESL graffiti on the walls and chalkboard of my classes a few years ago. That was because I was new to Long Beach and didn’t understand the significance of such displays of gang pride. My naivete prevented me from realizing the horrors that can stem from such gang membership.
The article mentioned a gang death on Halloween. One of my students, who does not belong to the ESL gang but lives in the same barrio, was threatened by other members at my school and was forced to transfer to another school. These members believed he knew who killed the victim or had other knowledge of the incident and wouldn’t come forward and tell.
When innocent people are forced into the net of crime resulting from gangland murders, it is time for a tightening of law enforcement. We all need to bring pressure on the city to break up these gangs before a bad situation gets worse.
--GERALD P. LUNDERVILLE
Downey
Mr. Lunderville teaches at Woodrow Wilson High in Long Beach.
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