The Costs of Violence

After reading Column One (“Putting a Price on Violence”) in The Times’ June 5 edition, I find it intriguing that the article focuses more on the funds that the taxpayers will dish out for the treatment of Cindy Rodriguez, the trials, appeals, and the incarceration of the convicted criminals in this revolting act, than the fact that this child has lost her childhood.

While we taxpayers always seem to get stuck with the bill, we must also recognize that a totally innocent victim has been cut down. Sociologists know how gangs start and we know what gangs can do; now we need to find out how to prevent gangs in the future.

Students are now being taught about the repulsive life that gang members lead and what the consequences are. It is our job and the jobs of educators to encourage our youth. Most students are strong in one particular subject and must be encouraged. Having high self-esteem is the most important way in pulling students away from the gang scene and helping them have confidence in themselves.

Yes, it would be nice to have help from home, but teachers are the last line of defense, and in some cases the only defense. The adults of tomorrow must realize what their proficiencies are, and not just their deficiencies.

As for Cindy Rodriguez, reach for your dreams, work hard and in the end, you will find that nothing can stop you. Work with what you have, and maybe one day all this madness will end.

JOSE MUNOZ

Bakersfield

* I read the entire article with sympathy for young Cindy Rodriguez while attempting to determine what the true motive was for the writer. Knowing the ideological position of The Times regarding guns, it was interesting to read the financially misleading article. In truth, firefighters and police officers are on duty and being paid whether Cindy Rodriguez is shot or not. Certainly, everyone wishes that she never had to experience this tragedy. But your bloated figures don’t really represent actual costs.

The article was nothing more than a poorly disguised attempt to promote The Times’ ill-conceived program to rid the United States of our bad, bad, guns. My question is, would you have spent the same time and energy doing an in-depth article had Cindy been injured with a knife? Sadly, the answer is in all likelihood, probably not.

ED REED

Downey