Card Club’s Impact on Cypress: Cause for Worry or Not to Worry

Regarding the editorial concerning card clubs and crime (“Card Clubs Are Sure Losers for County,” March 21): Cypress Police Chief Daryl Wicker obtained crime statistics from the Los Angeles County sheriff for the Commerce Card Club to use in a comparative study. He presented his facts to the Cypress City Council at a public hearing.

His study showed that, because of the large private security force, the Commerce Card Club premises are safer than some Cypress locations that most people consider secure.

The statistics presented were for the worst crimes such as armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, grand theft, auto theft, forgery, possession of a weapon, possession of drugs, auto burglary and assault.

Overall, the Commerce club was low in every category.

In addition, there were no police calls for prostitution in the two-year period at the card club.

No facts have ever been presented showing that card clubs bring crime. Gambling has existed in Cypress at the Los Alamitos Race Track for the past 41 years.

This is the logical location for a card club in Orange County.

LLOYD ARNOLD

President

Los Alamitos Race Course