Editor,
Laguna Beach rolled out the yule-tide cheer last Friday for Hospitality Night. The cold temperatures didn’t put a chill on the crowds of happy friends, families, and visitors who enjoyed seeing Santa, the ice rink, two Wish Fairies, the carolers, the band, decked out local businesses, and consuming tamales and hot cocoa. The city of Laguna really pulled out all stops to make it a special night.
The only crimp in the festivities were the roving groups of police volunteers, scowling back when greeted with a “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” and asking to sniff or look into people’s cups of hot cocoa. I even saw them stop one of the Wish Fairies, get right into her face and have her pour out a cup of warm milk. Who trains these people? I thought the idea of public service meant you serve the public, not snarl or accost them.
I’ve been planning to volunteer for the next Citizen’s Academy for police volunteers, but question whether I can work with uncivil people. The police volunteers deserve a lump of coal in their stocking for increasing the chill on Hospitality Night.
George Weiss, Laguna Beach
