HARRY AND TYRANNY

Harry Shearer stretched the truth when he claimed that his friend was jailed in Santa Monica “for walking his dog” on the beach and that he was jailed for the same thing when he had a dog.

No one is jailed for walking a dog on the beach in Santa Monica. It’s a citation, much like a traffic ticket. Unfortunately, some people like to play hardball. They’ll lie about their names and get caught at it. They’ll refuse to sign the promise to appear, which also forces an arrest. Some even try to run from the citing officer, despite the minor nature of the offense. This also results in jail, but it is not jail for walking a dog on the beach. I think Harry knows this. I think Harry wanted journalistic revenge and not a noble cause to fight.

LT. STAN CONGER, Santa Monica Police Department