Chief Gates’ Outburst

Gates will be remembered not as a man who did/did not do his job well but as one who behaved like some feudal baron, making a total spectacle of himself with a loss of all dignity and class, an unlordly articulation of the English language in front of the nation, not to mention the fact he has held the entire city hostage.

There were warnings that trouble would occur before the King verdict was handed down--a fact that seems to have been ignored--and instead of having the necessary manpower in place to support the inadequately staffed Los Angeles Police Department, we see him waving his printed emergency plan at Ted Koppel on “Nightline”--too late. Pardon me while I throw up!

VIVIENNE BLUETT, North Hollywood