Hospital Security Hit Wrong Target

* After the carnage wreaked by a gunman at the West Anaheim Medical Center Sept. 14, the natural hue and cry is for more stringent security measures--metal detectors and armed guards.

I am a retired Los Angeles police detective with 30 years’ service. As such I am legally permitted to retain and carry a concealed weapon.

In late July, almost two months prior to the killings, my wife was in the Transitional Care Unit at West Anaheim Medical Center.

I was a daily daylong visitor for weeks. Most hospital personnel including the unarmed security guard knew I was retired law enforcement.

On July 22 someone observed my firearm and notified the hospital management, who in turn notified Anaheim Police Department. Two Anaheim officers responded and tactfully asked me to enter the hallway, where they interviewed me and were shown my carrying credentials, badge, etc.

They left after offering condolences and apparently told hospital management of my legal right to be armed. A good professional job by Anaheim police. From that point it all went downhill.

Two hospital administrators entered the room and began a tirade in my wife’s presence. I moved them into the hallway, where the tirade continued.

Regardless of legality, they wanted my weapon removed from the premises--it was against hospital policy. Against my better judgment I complied, solely to relieve my wife from hearing it all. Their callous behavior and lack of concern for my dying wife was appalling compared to the officers’ demeanor. Sadly, my wife passed away the next day.

Imagine if the killings occurred that day: my weapon off premises, in my car.

In every mass murder that has occurred, the McDonald’s in San Diego, Columbine, West Anaheim hospital, if only an off-duty cop or retired cop were there, the death tolls would have been less.

I wonder if the two outraged administrators have reflected upon their encounter with me, reflected now on hospital policy.

Yes, strengthen security by any means possible, but never defend or promote an institutional policy that deprives you and others of trained professional law enforcement capabilities at hand.

JOSEPH SCANLON

Anaheim