Teen suicides, musicals, inflation, and stop and frisk

Sharing suicide info an important start

Thank you for printing resources and phone numbers in "Experts: Suicide rates for teens, kids rising" [News, June 20]. I know many people are working hard to help children, but many parents cannot get appointments for their children, and even with insurance, it is expensive. Some cannot afford the help, and even getting an appointment is often months out -- if new patients are being taken. There are just not enough places to get the help needed. This article is a good start, and, hopefully, people will share this information and start discussing the topic with each other.

Jill Holmes, Centereach

'Stop and frisk' needed to protect all

I am a retired police officer who worked in one of the most dangerous and violent cities in America. “Stop and frisk” was a tremendously valuable tool in combatting inner city crime ["GOP new hopefuls reviving old ideas," News, June 15]. Stop and frisk enabled police officers to confiscate illegally possessed firearms and other contraband from criminals on the street. Stop and frisk has been ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court in 1968. The court ruled that police can "stop and frisk" any person they reasonably suspect to be armed and involved in a crime. It is unconscionable to see how many jurisdictions are doing away with stop and frisk, especially as violent crime is exploding throughout America, especially in inner cities. If someone does not have an illegal weapon and did not commit a crime, then that person has zero to worry about. Stop and frisk allows an officer to pat someone down for weapons and is needed to protect police and the community. It’s an officer and public safety issue.

Thomas Carchidi, North Massapequa

Crash course in how to work a musical

During the summers of 1956-57, I worked in the landscaping department at Jones Beach ["When Broadway came to LI, at Jones Beach," FanFare, June 19]. When the musical "Show Boat" started at the Jones Beach Marine Theatre, I worked as a crew member on the three-story Cotton Blossom paddleboat. Our uniform was a black-and-white striped shirt. There was a post with heavy rope and at least three large outdoor engines with more in the boat's stern. Our job was to release, then stop the Show Boat, as it was moved into Zach's Bay, while the scenery ahead was pulled aside and the engines powered the Blossom through. This would leave the stage visible to the audience. Once, I uncoiled too early and the Blossom was headed for a collision with the scenery. Fortunately, the boss scrambled and, with the engines in full reverse, we avoided disaster. Each night as we took the Blossom out onto Zach's Bay, it was questionable if we could get back because of winds.

And just as memorable, during Christmastime every year, bandleader Guy Lombardo would host us all at his home and restaurant in Freeport.

William Ringh, Oceanside

I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. But nary a mention of Robert Moses, who installed Guy Lombardo with a sizable monetary package to take charge of the music at the amphitheater. Lombardo did this for a good portion of this “golden era.”

Roger Silverberg, Huntington

Thank you for bringing back a great memory of the old Jones Beach Marine Theatre. It's a great piece of Long Island history that should be remembered. My parents attended the "South Pacific" show in 1969 for their 30th anniversary. During the afterparty in the Schaefer Beer tent, my mother got to dance with Guy Lombardo. She was over the moon.

Kevin G. Collins, New Hyde Park

It'd cost much less if I'd made my own fries

Where does inflation stop and greed begin ["Producer prices up," LI Business, June 15]? Recently, my brother and I visited the Jones Beach State Park snack bar, intending to split an order of fries to hold us over until dinner. Perhaps it was my fault for not looking closely at the menu, but I never expected the price to be $9.72 with tax. At the same time, a popular supermarket was selling five pounds of potatoes for $2.99. Not only does this raise the question of greed, but also questions how a New York State park could allow such outrageous prices at a family beach. Remember, this is the walk-up snack bar, not the upscale Gatsby on the Ocean restaurant.

Pat McGovern, East Meadow