By Lori Emerson Santa Monica
In response to Melrose L. Sprague’s letter (SMDP, Aug. 30, page 4), what a horrific and terrifying experience Mrs. Sprague and her grandchildren had at CVS/Save-on on Aug. 23. Several months ago, I and my daughter had the same type of experience at the Save-on/CVS at 1411 Lincoln Blvd.
I wrote into the SMDP describing our experience. Although we were not beaten, pushed, chased or punched by the drunken (and pregnant) psycho that verbally assaulted my daughter, it was still quite unnerving.
Obviously, Save-on/CVS has done nothing to clean and clear their property, nor have they made customer safety a priority. Obviously, the police still haven’t done their jobs, enforcing the illegal camping laws that are being broken by the bums residing in the alley behind the store. The same gang of bums also haunt and loiter at the Jack in the Box restaurant next door, making it a near death experience to go there late at night or early in the morning. Nothing ever changes here, where the law-breaking bums come first and public safety comes last.
Until the City Council directs the police department and law enforcement administration to follow through on prosecuting the thugs that squat here, it will be dangerous to frequent the 1400 block of Lincoln Boulevard, or anywhere else in this city for that matter.
This failure to protect the public is not only inexcusable, it creates potential liability. Attacks and assaults at Save-on/CVS happen daily, if not hourly, and there is no end in sight. Hopefully, some injured patron will have the means to hire an attorney to pursue civil actions against Save-on/CVS and/or the city for the unsafe conditions that persist there. A better solution is the upcoming November election — it is our chance to get rid of three incumbent City Council “do-nothings” that have a direct hand in this city’s policy to refrain from enforcing laws that protect citizens.
I do encourage Melrose Sprague to go to court when the bum is arraigned. If the victim doesn’t press the issue, it is clear that the prosecutor’s office won’t either. They will let the bum go scot-free, and head right back to the Save-on/CVS location to hurt someone else. Of course, that same bum will be offered a free lunch, paid for by me, the taxpayer, before heading back to conspire with his partners in crime.
I have not been back to Save-on/CVS since we were assaulted there and will continue to tell my friends and neighbors to shop elsewhere.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 11, 2006. Read the original PDF.