LETTER TO THE EDITOR:Scorn for Harbor Patrol is without merit

I rarely write letters of this sort, but feel I must in this case. Yes, Rupert was a fine bird and was loved by many including my wife and myself. Living in Corona del Mar and watching Rupert for years, I know that he was loved by and cared for by the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol deputies as much as any other person or group. I have observed the officers feeding him and giving him fresh water as though they thought of him as a mascot.

Replay recent events! The deputy gets a report that a body is floating in the harbor. I expect him to respond as soon as possible. At the time of arrival and not before he finds that a woman is dead with multiple stab wounds. It is incumbent upon our law enforcement to respond to a crime scene as quickly as possible. Even if it turns out that the report was for a dead body (and many have stated is not worthy of hurrying), it seems that it would be important to do as any law enforcement group would do — set up a perimeter and protect any evidence as quickly as possible. The information and evidence at any crime scene is perishable, especially in water. Even fleeing participants are often found after crimes, even one as horrific as this one.

Instead we have the deputy reportedly getting telephone threats; people calling for the city of Newport Beach to take over the harbor; people accusing the Harbor Patrol of writing too many tickets and joy riding with the siren and lights on without cause.

Even some have claimed they killed Rupert on purpose. In one particularly inane published letter the writer stated “in almost no circumstances …” would the speed of a boat save a life. Once in all of time if a life were saved it would be worth it. Another mindless person wrote that she see the “boats go full throttle for a boat out of gas.” Do you really believe that is true? My gosh! What has happened?

I know the deputy involved, and he is devastated by the accident. He is known to all to be a considerate, thoughtful man dedicated to our safety.

Yes, I said, accident not unlike a car accident in which a human tragically dies.

Some of the local residents feel they own the harbor and have complained for years without even knowing the reason about the boats going “code,” which often is for life-threatening situations such as fires.

The Harbor Patrol writes remarkably few tickets but this is a campaign season for the Newport Beach City Council. I can only imagine the cost to the city and the number of tickets if the city of Newport Beach were to attempt to take over the fire fighting and police activities of the harbor. More local taxes anyone?

How come the populace sees it to be good when the sheriff’s deputies stop a drunken boater, or someone experiencing “boating rage” for the safety of our great community but seem to turn on them when it is outside of their comfort zone?

I lament the loss of Rupert (and Pearl), but I also lament the loss of balance in turning on the deputies who work incredibly hard to keep our harbors safe and friendly. See how uncaring the officers are by waving to them. Regarding Rupert, I miss him deeply, and I believe they do too.

BUD RASNER

Corona del Mar