TigerText Scandal

Here’s what I find most despicable of the sanitized media show put on by Police Chief Luna. It’s that it was a sanitized media show.

In an era bordering on totalitarianism at the federal level where the first victim is, of course, freedom of the press, our own little fiefdom of Long Beach is practicing the same. Why else would they not hold a true press conference? Because then Beachcomber would’ve shown up. Al Jazeera would’ve shown up. Instead, most of us heard of Luna’s “dog ate my homework” excuses through the Long Beach Post.

City Hall stonewalled the months-long TigerText investigation begun by Beachcomber every step of the way. It still came to light but at great difficulty. When officials purposely hide critical information from the press and from the public, we no longer have a free press, which is essential to a democracy.

It follows then that we no longer have a democracy. What are we waiting for?

Carlos S. Ovalle

Thank you for delivering outstanding service to our wonderful city. It is an absolute disgrace the way the powers-that-be try to turn our city into their personal fiefdom. Their escapades made our city look like it is run like a third-world dictatorship.

William Murphy

A once proud police department that had as many as 15 different citizen advisory groups, an active Community Oriented Public Safety Program and regular contact with the community has now become distanced from the very community it purports to serve.

I trace that decline to the change in the city manager’s position and the return to “smash mouth” policing under Chief McDonnell. Sad to see that it is continuing under the new administration of which I had great respect. As a community policing professional, this is hard to take.

Alex J. Norman

Maybe this will get Long Beach residents to the polls. This sickens me to the deepest part of my soul. My father had a lifetime career with and retired a decorated lieutenant with LAPD. He is my hero.

LBPD has made an absolute mockery of one of the most important and dangerous jobs one can hold. Straighten up and fly right LBPD. You’re outnumbered by a city of more than 470,000 people that have eyes on you. We deserve better!

Stephanie Aiello

Hey LBPD. What happened guys? I thought your famous blow off line, “We’re sorry your honor, but all records for LBPD’s cell phone communications have been permanently destroyed in a freak computer glitch ... among all the other exculpatory evidence” worked pretty well.

And to Mr. Downing: “May the force of heaven and all of God’s blessings be with you and your family.” You are my official Super Cop hero as well as the only one reason why I still believe good cops still exist!

Stanley W. O’Riley