Sheriff Block

* Re “Work Release Is Key to Escape for Many Inmates,” Dec. 29:

Sheriff Sherman Block is an arrogant public official with too much power. In the past, he has made veiled threats to members of the Board of Supervisors to reduce law enforcement presence in their districts if he wasn’t satisfied with the budget proposed to his department. Also, he has made unveiled threats to release prisoners for the same reason. Sheriff Block has compromised safety by “paperwork errors” that have released murderers. And now, his latest blunder, the escape of “vast numbers” of inmates, free again to victimize the law-abiding public.

When he runs again for office, his record begs for a no vote.

MILT STEWART

Los Angeles

* Dangerous criminals back on the streets? Let’s put the responsibility where it belongs. Irresponsible legislators and citizens passed “get tough” legislation putting more people in jail without providing adequate funding for it. And when there’s something on the ballot to build more prisons, these same citizens vote it down.

You get what you pay for. You want ‘em locked up, you have to pay for more jails and prisons. You don’t want to build more jails and prisons, you get to have these folks back in your community. Quit picking on the governmental agencies like the Sheriff’s Department that are trying to cope with massive prisoner overcrowding without adequate resources. Put the responsibility where it belongs, back on the citizens and their elected representatives.

JUDITH A. LEWIS

Huntington Beach

* Our sheriff made the front page many times last year. Some of the embarrassing reasons: mistaken releases of prisoners, including murderers, some who are still free; refusal to use the new Twin Towers jail, while giving early releases to many dangerous prisoners; gross overspending and waste in a department that cries about a lack of funds; work-release prisoners skipping out, and the lack of background checks by the department.

Have we missed any? We have the worst-run law enforcement department in the state headed by the highest-paid official in the state.

SCOTT HARRIS

Whittier