Time to ask city leaders questions: What city entities will fill-in the gaps that result from the LAPD budget cut?

Oct 16

Written By BAA

No matter what side one may take on the $150 million LAPD budget cut — and in an effort to keep the community advised — it is reasonable to presume there will be significant impacts caused by the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) budget cut that will impact services, programs and responses to the community.

While LAPD Chief MIchel Moore prepares a presentation for the Mayor, the City Council and the Police Commission on how the department will function with the budget reduction of $150 million, it is reasonable to assume that there will be major impacts to the department’s staffing, outreach services and radio call responses.

Now is the time for the City of Los Angeles to put the mechanisms in place to deal with some of the gaps resulting from the $150 million budget cut.

Chief Moore has indicated that his number one priority is staffing various positions which impacts most of the people in order to provide quality service to the community. Furthermore, all calls involving a crime will receive a response by LAPD.

Here are some facts for consideration:

• LAPD operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so no matter what time of day or night, if one calls 911 or LAPD’s non-emergency number, (877) ASK-LAPD, one expects an officer to be dispatched.

• Due to the budget cut, there will be a reduction of the department by 500 people (350 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees) that will bring the staffing level down to that of 2007.

• If one compares the number of calls for LAPD response from 2007 and today, the number of calls have increased over 60%.

• There will be approximately 400+ retiring officers in January 2021.

• On the average, there has been a graduating class from the Police Academy every month. Since this national discussion of defunding police began, there has been only one graduating class since June 15th.

What programs and services MAY be impacted?

• We may see front desks of LAPD stations will be limited to Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM only — no more desks open at night and no more weekend service availability.

• We may have online traffic collision reporting systems for those traffic collisions where there are no injuries and no crime.

• We may see a reduction in the amount of radio calls in civil disputes. For example, a dispute over a tree growing over a property line and someone wants to cut the branches overhanging in their yard.

• Homeless encampments: Unless there is a crime being committed, we may not have an LAPD officer respond to a homeless encampment. A non-LAPD city entity will have to respond that may not operate 24/7.

Various program and investigative resources may be cut and these issues will be referred to the City and County partners. Will these partners respond 24/7?

• We may see LAPD investigative resources being cut, such as; Animal Cruelty Task Force. It is important to note that animal cruelty is a felony in California and LAPD will respond to a 911 call on a report of someone abusing an animal. It is the investigative teams that will be affected by the budget cuts. These teams investigate crimes as cockfighting, dog fighting, etc.

• There may be no more University Park Task Force.

• There may be no more Venice Beach Detail.

• The LAPD outreach program HOPE (Homeless Outreach Partnership) may be scrapped and issues called in to LAPD may be referred to the City and County services. Will these referral entities operate 24/7?

• LAPD may not be able to assist the State’s Bureau of Alcohol and Beverage Commission (The ABC) with its bi-yearly inspections.

If you are so inclined, email the city officials and ask what agencies and/or departments will be responsible to accommodate the 911 or LAPD non-emergency radio calls that were formerly handled with a LAPD response:

Mayor Eric Garcetti - mayor.helpdesk@lacity.org

City Attorney Mike Feuer - Mike.feuer@lacity.org

City Council Members and Contact Information:

CD1 - Gil Cedillo - Gilbert.Cedillo@lacity.org

CD2 - Paul Krekorian - councilmember.Krekorian@lacity.org

CD3 - Bob Blumenfield - councilmember.blumenfield@lacity.org

CD4 - David E. Ryu - david.ryu@lacity.org

CD5 - Paul Koretz - paul.koretz@lacity.org

CD6 - Nury Martinez (President of City Council) - councilmember.martinez@lacity.org

CD7 - Monica Rodriguez - councilmember.rodriguez@lacity.org

CD8 - Marqueece Harris-Dawson - councilmember.harris-dawson@lacity.org

CD9 - Curren D. Price, Jr. - councilmember.price@lacity.org