HOW ABOUT ‘SLOPPY’?
No one can blame you for leading with your heart on this one [Jenny Stockdale’s “From Sleuth to Psycho,” May 7], but crime victims, suspects, cops, reporters all see things differently through the lens of their experiences. That’s why, in law enforcement as in journalism, there are boundaries . . . imperfect boundaries, but in place for mostly good reasons. Whether we like it or not, Peck’s job isn’t to aid your catharsis. She’s paid to investigate crimes and, in cases where there’s likelihood that 12 jurors would revoke the freedom of the persons alleged to have committed them, file criminal complaints with the district attorney. Period. I know you had the best of intentions in writing that letter, but, if the person who stole your credit card has the heart of gold you think she does, can you see how she might be a bit unnerved from having her victim track her down and leave a note on her car? I also fail to see how calling Detective Peck “lousy” helps matters any.

SAM LOWRY
Via thedistrictweekly.com

EDITOR’S NOTE Jenny Stockdale did not write the sub-headline [“A woman stole my wallet and all I got was a lousy detective”] on the story. The person who did write it couldn’t think of a more diplomatic way to describe this Long Beach Police Department detective’s work on this case. Any suggestions?

You have the comfort of knowing that Detective Peck will retire with a fat pension you’ll be paying for—when she’s 55 or so. The perp will go on to rip off countless victims, while you may actually be added to some “psycho” list they keep downtown for when they need to round up usual suspects. This is just one more confirmation that (in Long Beach) the only justice you’ll get is the justice you take on your own. The lesson is, of course, not to have any contact with the “authorities,” who will become your adversaries, but settle scores in your own good time and means. In short, don’t be a victim when you can recoup losses the old-fashioned way. I admire your pluck.

ALBERT DISALVO
Via thedistrictweekly.com

Dear, you are a chump. A kind, sweet, forgiving chump, but a chump, nonetheless. The thief gave the detective a sob story about how money is tight, blah-blah-blah—and then spends your hard-earned money on a manicure! I’m sure the detective knew she was being scammed by the sob story, but both of them just wanted you to go away and stop bothering them. The detective didn’t want to do the work, and the thief didn’t really want to apologize. That said, I think you are wonderful to pursue this the way you did. I only wish the thief had gone to jail. Remember, a first offense is the first time a criminal gets caught, not necessarily the first time he/she has committed a crime. If I had to guess, I’d bet the take-the-bread-back-to-Trader-Joe’s-and-steal-a-wallet routine has been used before by your perp. Please do not take offense at my use of the word “chump.” I’m one, too—carjacked after letting two “stranded” 20-somethings borrow my cell phone.

ANONYMOUS
Via thedistrictweekly.com

Don’t let these morons try to persuade you to recast yourself. You are neither victim nor villain. The thief couldn’t have been that hard up if she was using your card to get her nails done. She used you, and the detective alternated between sitting on her ass, chewing you out, and making you the butt of a very cruel April Fool’s joke. Most people would have gone ballistic at that point, cop or no. You have NOTHING to apologize for.

ANDREW WILLIAMS
Via thedistrictweekly.com

FOR THE RECORD The opening paragraphs of a story about the Long Beach Museum of Art [Theo Douglas’s “The Missing Jawlenskys,” May 14] made it sound like two paintings by Russian expressionist Alexej Jawlensky were definitely stolen from the museum’s collection—but were they? The paintings are indeed missing from the museum’s collection, but it remains unclear whether they were purloined, or misplaced, or accidentally discarded. The District regrets any confusion.