Let's focus on the problem

To the editor -- Mayor Dave Edler tells us that the city and police are doing what they need to do. Councilwoman Sonia Rodriguez tells us that street gangs are spreading their criminal activity all over Yakima. The Yakima Police Department brings in an alleged expert to teach the police about outlaw bikers, while carnage is waged by street gangs. The expert talks about "organized crime," and beating people for an "offensive look."

The Banditos, the Unforgiven and other organizations such as the Lower Valley Riders, the Rez Riders, etc., are motorcycle clubs! They are hard-working, patriotic citizens. I have ridden with and attended Unforgiven or Bandito functions as a friend, not a member, for years. I have never witnessed any illegal activity. I am a professor of law and justice for 17 years at Central Washington University, a former police officer and a published street gang researcher.

The Banditos or Unforgiven did not put a bullet into a 16-year-old boy's head on South Fourth Street. They did not shoot three people this month and were not involved in seven instances of gunfire since May. They did not shoot innocent Marie Richmond. Yakima police are spending money listening to stories and looking at pictures of bikers while people die from street gangs.

MICHAEL OLIVERO

Yakima

Remembering the past

To the editor -- The June 20 article regarding the donations of Japanese history to the museum was wonderful. I remember WWII events well, although I was just a child at the time. I had several Japanese friends in school. After the war, one girl gave a report in speech class with diagrams of the internment camp where she and her family lived.

Another classmate, Tom Heuterman, delivered the Yakima Herald newspaper for many years, biking all over Wapato with his Doberman. He went on to Washington State College (now University) and returned to work as a reporter for the Yakima Herald-Republic. He subsequently earned his doctorate after studying at the University of Washington and WSU. He taught journalism at WSU for many years before retiring. He later wrote several books, including "The Burning Horse," which relates the experiences of the Japanese people in the Valley during WWII. He had a book signing at the museum in Yakima.

There were many in the Valley who befriended the Japanese citizens and took care of their possessions during that time until they could return to the Valley. There is much unhappy history here, but the people survived and are the best of citizens and friends.

JOY DODEWARD

Yakima