I'd like to comment on a letter written by Erik Nordquist in the Feb. 12 Thousand Oaks Acorn ("Are police officers writing tickets to raise city revenue?")

I've had a similar experience as Mr. and Mrs. Nordquist but see a completely different side to the story.

I live near the intersection of Avenida de Los Arboles and Lynn Road. In the past 12 months, the City Council and local police department have made an effort to get the public to abide by the posted speed limit by installing flashing traffic displays and lighted intersections. While these are working, the real difference is when the motorcycle officers are present and writing tickets.

I've lived in this neighborhood for 21 years, and while taking my morning walk around the block, I've witnessed cars going in excess of 60 mph on Lynn Road, vehicles being overtaken in the suicide lane on Arboles, cars driving down the bicycle lane only to swerve dangerously when they suddenly come upon a bicycle, and on a few occasions I've even seen speeding cars lose control and mount the footpath.

I do agree with Mr. Nordquist, that the police are there for law enforcement and public safety, which includes writing traffic tickets. When an officer writes a ticket for a traffic infraction, it isn't the revenue that it generates that is the reward.

It's the hope that the driver will learn the speed limits are posted for the safety of all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and the impact of the ticket on that driver's wallet will keep him from making the same mistake, before someone is injured or worse. Maria Di Pisa Thousand Oaks