Cruising Solutions

I applaud your editorial “Cruise Control” (July 4) for being responsible in blaming the violence on just a small element and not on the vast majority of cruisers themselves.

Now, until we address the reasons why some people get caught up in the web of drugs, gangs and violence--which I think is caused by such reasons as hopelessness, a feeling of alienation from mainstream society, lack of moral and religious values, and a lack of parental concern--we will have problems.

In the meantime, one solution for the cruisers would be to get them off residential and commercial streets and on to streets in industrial areas. Allowing them to park and socialize with one another along with the police, who would be patrolling the area, might help. Plus a side benefit would be the cruisers would see the police are not the enemy that some people portray them as.

Also, getting older cruisers and car club members to come out could have a stabilizing effect, and they could even become somewhat of a mentor to the the younger cruisers. Last would be to try to get a soft drink company or a fast food company to help out, sell their products and hopefully keep alcohol consumption nil.

Another place to race closer to the Valley, since Palmdale and Pomona are a good 30 to 50 miles away, might help with some of the street-racing problems that are occurring (“Is a Place to Race the Solution?,” Valley Voices, July 4). But for the most part, cruisers are a different type of person, so I do not think that would help out there.

BRANDON E. BROOKS, Sherman Oaks