Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.policemag.com/341089/reconsidering-carotid-control">Ron Martinelli/Policemagazine.com</a>

Carotid artery restraint

Chiefly excuses

Living in this area which for decades was known as “granny gulch” because the area has numerous senior housing and mobile home parks, now we have gangs, violent homeless but no police protection (“Witness calls 911 in midst of Escondido beating,” Neighborhood News, May 27). The Escondido Excuse Department does not consider this area a problem, but since the city closed Grape Day and other city parks from the homeless, they have migrated to other areas of the city. It’s well known the chief of police and the Escondido Excuse Department have adopted a “hands off” policy regarding homeless; the homeless and gangs currently run the streets of the city. Businesses and residential communities hire security, but they are powerless due to the lack of concern and response times; they rather run 11-49’s than patrol neighborhoods and shopping areas. You do see the police in this shopping mall until Starbucks closes, then it’s “your on your own." I currently have to receive my prescriptions at CVS, I carry a police grade can of chemical agent, a two-million-volt stun gun, and a combat buck knife. I should not have to arm myself just to walk the block to get my medications. The Escondido Excuse Department is more interested in “profit” than keeping the community safe. We need a new chief of police.

• Ray Carney
• Escondido