City should spend the money to enforce its laws

I'd like to address a statement presented in the Thousand Oaks Acorn editorial on July 19 regarding the concept that some people apparently think cities have endless supplies of cash and that constructing parks is how municipalities make money.

I recently read in the Acorn that our city has allocated $100,000 for beautification of the day laborer park on Hampshire Road. This project would involve the construction of a bathroom and landscaping.

I've also read in the Acorn that the city of Thousand Oaks is financially stressed.

I do think that our taxpayer dollars are sometimes not allocated properly or with reason. Every time I pass by the day laborer park, I wonder why it was designated for day laborers. Recently, I was told that it's a place for the unemployed to congregate, so they won't loiter on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

I'm 100 percent for the unemployed to be employed, but don't we have unemployment offices for that purpose?

Yet, as a taxpayer, I can't comfortably or safely walk our greenbelts or sidewalks without being approached by a loose dog or dogs, whose owners allow them to run rampant.

Not being able to read a dog's mind or intention, I arm myself with an animal deterrent spray and hope for the best. Dog attacks on people and their pets have been rising in our area.

After numerous phone calls to animal control, I'm told that- - at best- - they'll try to dedicate more time to enforcing the leash law ordinance, but they're under funded.

This isn't an issue of discrimination, should some people try to make it one.

This is an issue of prioritizing our tax dollars so that our city has the financial ability to enforce its ordinances and uphold its laws. Carleen DeFranco Westlake Village