Carolyn’s Letters

This letter was sent on July 1, 2005, and published in San Diego Union Tribune in response to their Editorial entitled, “Chief’s blunder, Lansdowne testimony betrays his department.” The editorial criticized Chief of Police Lansdowne for testifying for the defense in court in the City Council corruption trial where his department was part of bringing the case for the prosecution.

Dear editors,

Your editorial lambasting San Diego police chief Lansdowne’s appearance on behalf of indicted City Council member Zucchet and undermining the work of his Department was right on.

This is not the first time that Lansdowne has politicized his office.

Last year he appeared “by surprise” before the Mission Bay Park Committee who, after studying the issue and living with the consequences, was about to recommend a one-day trial ban of alcohol in the Park for the 4th of July to see how that would impact the out-of-control behavior and costs.

At least it was a surprise to Committee members. I was told afterward
that Zucchet’s office recruited the Chief to come and testify against trying the ban.

What about the public health, safety and welfare? If you interview any beat cop in the beach area they will tell you that alcohol is a driving force in most of the problems they encounter.

Instead, Lansdowne’s appearance intimidated the citizen’s committee as he recommended against even trying any ban to see the results.

So now City taxpayers are now going to spend from $500,000 to $750,000 in police overtime. This will also suck badly needed police from other areas of the City. Last year, calls in other areas went begging so we could police the excessive partying on the beaches.

This is not a Chief committed to prevention or prudent use of the public purse. Instead, he used his uniform to promote the opposite.

Chief Lansdowne also violated City policy against employees using their public offices to promote political positions when he used his title and signed a ballot argument last year on a measure that the City had taken no official position on. When confronted about this, he claimed the policy didn't apply to him.

These actions show that this is not a Chief committed to either the spirit or the letter of the law as it applies to him but one who uses politics to make decisions that should only be based upon the public health, safety and welfare.

Hopefully a new Mayor will not countenance such politicization of our police department.

Carolyn Chase
Pacific Beach