This is in direct response to Deborah Martinez’ letter on Nov.
6. I appreciate your concern, but as I said before, and as the
”
embarrassed
”
police officer involved mentioned, there was absolutely nothing
wrong with leaving my child in the car for a few seconds (probably
all but 30 seconds) while getting my mail at the Tres Pinos Post
Office. I will continue to do so and I and only I will be the judge
of whether or not it is safe to leave my child for a few seconds
while walking 10 feet to my mailbox to retrieve my mail. Your
overzealous attitude was completely uncalled for and
unnecessary.
This is in direct response to Deborah Martinez’ letter on Nov. 6. I appreciate your concern, but as I said before, and as the “embarrassed” police officer involved mentioned, there was absolutely nothing wrong with leaving my child in the car for a few seconds (probably all but 30 seconds) while getting my mail at the Tres Pinos Post Office. I will continue to do so and I and only I will be the judge of whether or not it is safe to leave my child for a few seconds while walking 10 feet to my mailbox to retrieve my mail. Your overzealous attitude was completely uncalled for and unnecessary.
Did I see you outside? I saw lots of people outside because the Post Office was closed, and they were waiting for it to open. I don’t waste time looking around, that’s why I’m in and out so fast – as you very well know if you indeed were standing there.
I know all about Kaitlyn’s Law as I have many times reminded people of it. Don’t forget that the law applies to children left in a car for more than ONE minute. I absolutely never leave my kids or my pets in my car. In fact, on hot days, I have been known to check cars in parking lots to make sure that people didn’t leave kids or pets inside. On more than one occasion I actually left notes on people’s windshields about leaving their dogs in hot cars.
You are wrong to think that I turned your issue around to express my own anger.
But for what it’s worth, I had actually asked the Editor not to print my letter after rethinking the whole issue. He felt it was worth printing because we needed to teach people common sense. However he had agreed not to print it. Unfortunately, the letter had already gone to press and it was too late to stop it.
You need to be careful and use your judgment and common sense. All I can think of is that you must have a lot of personal issues to have turned this perfectly acceptable situation into something it was not.
I have every reason to be upset with you and no reason to be embarrassed. Your assumption that I am not focussing on my children is self-righteous and too pathetic for me to comment on. I worked for many years with law enforcement agencies, I have also worked for many years with child counselors and know more than I wish I did about child abuse. One of the biggest problems we have in this country is with people abusing or misinterpreting the law. This is why it is so hard to prosecute when there are children being abused or neglected. The fact that you see abuse where there is none might be a red light for you. Focus your energy where it is truly needed. You’re on the right path, you just need to use more common sense. Volunteers are always needed in children abuse programs. Contact CPS if you need references.
Louise Ricker,
Tres Pinos
