threatened cut to the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department apparently will be averted in a compromise reached by members of the City Council.
The council has been considering a police hiring freeze as one way to reach the $530 million in cuts needed to close the city’s looming budget shortfall.
Over the weekend, however, aides to the council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said they found enough money to hire replacements for up to 480 of the 520 officers who typically leave each year through retirements and such. Apparently, the city’s share of property taxes next year will be $20 million greater than expected, and $4 million provided by the federal government could also be used to hire officers. Plus, the council may decide to use some of the $18 million held in city reserves.
The money will only allow the city to maintain close to its current level of police staffing. It won’t be enough for Villaraigosa to continue his goal to grow the Police Department by 1,000 officers, one of the top priorities of his administration.
The council is expected to vote on the compromise this evening.
-- Phil Willon
A threatened cut to the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department apparently will be averted in a compromise reached between the City Council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The council has been considering a police hiring freeze as one way to reach the $530 million in cuts needed to close the city’s looming budget shortfall.
Over the weekend, however, aides to the council and mayor said they found enough money to hire replacements for up to 480 of the 520 officers who typically leave each year through retirements and such. Apparently, the city’s share of property taxes next year will be $20 million greater than expected, and $4 million provided by the federal government could also be used to hire officers. Plus, the council may decide to use some of the $18 million held in city reserves.
The money will only allow the city to maintain close to its current level of police staffing. It won’t be enough for Villaraigosa to continue his goal to grow the Police Department by 1,000 officers, one of the top priorities of his administration.
The council is expected to vote on the compromise this evening
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