Tenants Responsible for Living Conditions

Re “Landlord’s Empire Is Far-Flung, Problem-Plagued,” Dec. 30: This story is old news that mostly deals with issues that have been disposed of two decades ago. Sam Menlo was never convicted of a felony and he complied with all requirements imposed upon him 25 years ago for a misdemeanor conviction.

I have been in law enforcement for almost 24 years. I am not a member of a synagogue (I am Catholic), nor am I a member of the “Menlo community.” I am an outsider looking in and admiring the charitable work of Sam and Vera Menlo. As I drive home from work I see the Menlo Building at a school on La Brea Avenue serving over 1,000 children.

It is often easy to blame a landlord for destruction caused by tenants. The hypodermic needles found in the Menlo-owned apartments were not related to Menlo’s actions; perhaps the drug addicts who invaded Menlo’s building should be blamed for the destruction of the apartments.

I have known Menlo for 10 years. I am not his friend and I was never at his home. He is a decent man whose philanthropy prevents children from drug abuse and other juvenile crimes. I commend him for his economic success, charitable work and contribution to our economy.

He has suffered enough without your article’s innuendoes.

Dan Martin

Burbank