Letters to the Editor by Vivian Moen

Putting Mentally Ill Man in Prison Is Wrong
December 8 2002

Re "Making a Nonviolent Act a Third Strike Is Just Plain Crazy," Nov. 10:

I too am a member of Families to Amend California Three-Strikes. I have read the reports compiled by Philip Zullo's mental health professionals. One would not question his mental illness. Zullo would potentially serve 35 years of the 90-year sentence before his death. The basic cost of his incarceration to taxpayers is $875,000 in today's money.

This amount does not include medical or mental health care.

If Zullo is found guilty, California will pay for his mental health care. He is not likely to hurt anyone, so I say let Fred and Theresa Zullo continue providing for their son's mental health. Neither California taxpayers nor the Zullo family would benefit by incarcerating Philip Zullo under the three-strikes law.

Vivian Moen
Fountain Valley

Give Graffiti Space for Creative Expression
The Los Angeles Times;
Los Angeles, Calif.; Oct 13, 2002;

Abstract: Provide portable blank canvases throughout the city. Establish a display area for public viewing of finished canvases. Judge the graffiti and create art scholarships.

Full Text: (Copyright The Times Mirror Company; Los Angeles Times 2002. Allrights reserved.)

Re "Bratton Lays Out Ambitious Set of Goals for LAPD," Oct. 4: William J. Bratton said graffiti falls under "quality of life." I agree. Those creating graffiti usually do not have a quality of life. Most of them were denied middle-class opportunities for success.

Here is where I challenge Bratton. Graffiti marks an individual's expression of thoughts. Why not turn it into an art fair?

Provide portable blank canvases throughout the city. Establish a display area for public viewing of finished canvases. Judge the graffiti and create art scholarships.

I have seen remarkable art disguised as graffiti. Use innovative ideas for success instead of arrests. Keep replacing the canvases with blank ones and expect to be surprised by the results.

After all, hanging upside-down above freeway overpasses has it limits.

Vivian Moen
Fountain Valley

The Right Answer to Drug Abuse
The Los Angeles Times;
Los Angeles, Calif.;
Oct 8, 2000;

Abstract: Give treatment a chance; 80% of California prisoners are locked up because of drugs. Sending $1.3 billion to Colombia is not keeping people from using drugs. Building a new prison in Delano will not prevent drug use.

Full Text: (Copyright, The Times Mirror Company; Los Angeles Times 2000 allRights reserved)

* Re "O.C. Teen Drug Arrests Soar; Treatment Lags" (Sept. 11):

Finally someone is paying attention to the teenage drug problem.

As a society, we should prefer treatment and prevention to incarceration. Jail and prison are not the answer to drug abuse.

My son did not have access to treatment programs as a teenager and is now serving a minimum 25 years to life under the three-strikes law as a non-violent offender. His third strike was for possession of $10 worth of cocaine. It can happen to your child.

Give treatment a chance; 80% of California prisoners are locked up because of drugs. Sending $1.3 billion to Colombia is not keeping people from using drugs. Building a new prison in Delano will not prevent drug use. We need to implement programs that build lives, not destroy them.

VIVIAN MOEN
Fountain Valley

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Date last modified: 12/13/02.