San Clemente Buffeted by Attack on Teen

* It is encouraging to see a community such as San Clemente pull together in support of recent attack victim Steve Woods.

After being shocked by such an unbelievable event, it is difficult to see how any good could possibly emerge from these violence-stricken suburban streets.

Fortunately, the good people of San Clemente High School and its community have brought hope to “Stop the Violence� and if nothing else, gave deep support for the friends, family and loved ones of fellow student Steve Woods.

BETSY PRINCE

San Juan Capistrano

* “Outrageous . . . it’s a tragedy.� Coming on the heels of the “no intent� Denny trial, this is a community beating.

Had this been a car full of white boys spontaneously attacking a car full of Latinos, you’d have reported it as a hate crime, racially motivated. And gang-related? Not in upscale, “safe� San Clemente.

BERNADETTE GREENE

San Juan Capistrano

* The unfortunate freak accident in which a San Clemente youth was speared with a paint roller rod is a tragedy in itself without your articles making matters worse by provoking fear, hatred and overreaction from certain parts of our community.

Although there appears to be some evidence that both youth groups had some involvement in initiating the altercation, your articles were strongly biased against the Latino youths; your articles failed to present their side of the story.

This type of reporting and misinformation has brought to the surface deep feelings of animosity toward Latinos. My son, a student at San Clemente High School, actually heard one of his classmates say, “All illegals should be shot.�

It’s quite evident that even our law officials initially overreacted when it was clear that the incident was spontaneous and the injury was unintentional.

If your paper is indeed committed to ending ethnic and racial strife in our country, you can do your part with fair and balanced reporting.

We obviously don’t need an entity with your mass communication power to fan the fire of hatred and bigotry.

ANGEL D. SISTOS

San Clemente

* I am writing in concern for the reputation and respect that is at risk for the city of San Clemente and its high school. Due to past incidents, outsiders have altered their opinion of the high school and its city that they believe was once a small and relaxed little beach town. What I would like to address is the stereotyping that is going on here.

I am student at San Clemente High School, right in the heart of the criticisms of the students at my school, especially since the stabbing (of Steve Woods). Just as it is wrong to form a prejudice against all Latinos because of the tragedy with Steve Woods, it is also wrong to make general assumptions about our high school and its students.

Please don’t look at the few rotten kids that messed up as representatives of what this city is really made of. Instead, come and visit San Clemente, come speak with the students and the members of the community; only then will you believe that this town still carries its unique charm.

CORRINE ENMEIER

San Clemente

* I am appalled at the feeble attempt by the district attorney in Orange County to pursue more serious charges in the case of Steve Woods, the victim of a vicious gang attack.

It has been claimed that there was no “intent� by the perpetrators to murder the victim, thus lesser charges of assault were filed.

I must be confused over the type of instrument used. From the stories printed, the weapon was described as a paint roller with a sharpened point. All paint rollers have four additional rods and a hub to support the roller brush. The X-ray photos of the rod impaled in Scott’s head clearly show that the roller had been modified.

This indicates the suspects had intended to use the device to inflict damage to someone they might encounter. Clearly, this device was not prepared for use as made, showing there was some other “intent.�

Additionally, the statement that it was not gang-related, when every suspect in custody is recognized as a gang member, is to tell little children that just like Wyle E. Coyote, they too can fall off a high cliff without being hurt. It just isn’t so.

Old-time fears of mob rule have been replaced by real gang rule.

When we stop coddling these criminals and hold them responsible for their actions, the law-abiding citizens will once again have the upper hand in society.

DAVID FRANKENY

Lake Forest