I and several of my neighbors were shocked and alarmed when we read in the Acorn about the action by many policemen and their families who held a political demonstration at Councilmember Glen Becerra’s home on Saturday morning Oct. 17. There is no excuse for this unwarranted event.

He is an elected Simi Valley council member, and we need him, along with the mayor and other council members, to address the city’s problems, including the city’s fiscal well-being and the management of the various departments.

The police department hires employees to safeguard the citizens. When Becerra goes home, he is just like the rest of us—a citizen, not a council member. He is entitled to the enjoyment of the peace and quiet of his personal residence. That was certainly violated by the actions of the members of the Simi Police Officers Association.

Protesting council actions at city hall and other public locations is certainly acceptable. It is not acceptable at a personal residence.

Our police department, one of the state’s best, has expertly managed so many problems over the years. This recent demonstration may appear to residents as a black mark on the department. It is not. It is a black mark on the union, its representatives and those officers demonstrating.

Detective Bill Daniels, the union president, exercised poor judgment if he promoted and was involved in this demonstration. If so, the union members should consider getting a more thoughtful union president.

Any political demonstration requires a permit from a city department. Then discussions are held with the police chief to decide if the permit should be issued. If this was not done, then the demonstration was illegal.

It is also illegal for any off-duty police officer to carry a firearm at a political demonstration—did they?

This demonstration was meant to be intimidating. It was disgraceful. Suppose the council members now change their vote on police wages. People would perceive that the union intimidation worked.

This could foster additional confrontations at personal homes by people who had to take the cutbacks.

Conversely, suppose it does not work and the council does not give in. What happens next? A brick thrown through a window? Something worse?

In Los Angeles, the city paints “Protect and Serve” on the police cars. What do we paint on our police cars: “ Intimidate and Control”? DeWitt Lancaster Simi Valley