Right Voices

Today their Public Information Office finally sent a letter in response to my questions of why the police allowed people to vandalize a memorial site and what actually constituted vandalism in their eyes. While I think re-arranging someone’s display has altered the display or single piece of work is vandalism they disagree. However I guess that’s for the law to decide . Thank you for the response Brad Bridenbecker.

Here is the full and un-edited letter received.

Attached is a letter of response that was prepared by the City of La Habra
for the public.

March 27, 2003

Dear concerned citizen:

Thank you for your comments regarding the terrible incident that recently occurred at the “9-11” memorial site here in La Habra. Had I read the article as it was printed, I too would have been one of the first people to criticize our police department and city government.

Unfortunately, the article in the Whittier Daily News was inaccurate, and despite the City‘s efforts to “right the wrong,” the media did not want to hear or print the facts, let alone a retraction from the Whittier Daily News editor. Unfortunately, the story had already spread and received national attention. Their response to our police chief was that they had a deadline to meet, and could not take the time to fully write and edit the story.

Initially, the police department received a call of a suspicious person at the memorial site. Officers responded and contacted a subject who had rearranged cups that were stuck in a fence. The cups spelled out “I love the USA,” and the person rearranged them to form a peace symbol. There was no damage, and that act falls well short of vandalism. That is what Captain Rees referred to when he made his “right to free speech” comment. Unfortunately, his comment was taken way out of context and “attached” to a vandalism that occurred later.

Without going into a very long explanation, I’ll simply say that the La Habra police officers later received a call of vandalism. It was what police call a “cold call.” No suspects were present at the time the police department took the report, and contrary to media reports, the police did not witness the desecration of our National flag, or related symbols of patriotism.

As it turned out, a person claiming responsibility for the acts of vandalism was later arrested on an unrelated charge. A case package alleging several charges, including vandalism is currently under review by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Unfortunately inaccurate newspaper reporting created this widespread emotional frenzy fueled by rumors, and as much as we would like to take back the pain they have caused, unfortunately we cannot. The media isn’t held accountable for such stories, which is truly frustrating.

I am proud to state that our City is a very patriotic community that fully supports the efforts by Ms. Chandler in erecting the memorial that does not allow us to forget the terrible events that shocked the world; especially the fallen victims, and their loved ones.

Thank you very much for caring, and for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Brad Bridenbecker
City Manager