Let's simplify the expression step by step:
\[ -2 - 17 + 12 - (-4) \]
- Resolve the double negative: \(-(-4)\) becomes \(+4\).
- Rewrite the expression:
\[ -2 - 17 + 12 + 4 \]
- Now, combine the numbers from left to right:
\(-2 - 17 = -19\)
Now add \(12\):
\(-19 + 12 = -7\)
Now add \(4\):
\(-7 + 4 = -3\)
So, the final result is:
\[ \boxed{-3} \]