Assemb. Chris Holden (Photo – California State Assembly)
California Assemblymember Chris Holden sent a letter to Sheriff Alex Villanueva regarding the proposed closure of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Altadena.
By News Desk
In the letter, dated May 6, 2020, Assemblymember Holden implored Sheriff Villanueva to reconsider his decision to close the Altadena Sheriff’s Station. He also cited safety concerns among other reasons not to close the patrol station.
Dear Sheriff Villanueva,
As the State Assemblymember representing the unincorporated community of Altadena since 2012, I write to implore you to reconsider your decision to close the Altadena Sheriff’s Station. The safety and well-being of my constituents continue to be a priority and my primary concern.
42,000 Altadena residents deserve their own station
With a population of more than 42,000 residents, Altadenans are deserving of their own station. Its closure removes a key resource from the entire area needed to minimize criminal activity. There is concern about a reduction in the level of services and response time to deploy Sheriffs from the Crescenta Valley station, and the need to rely on the California Highway Patrol. This closure also diminishes the partnership between the Pasadena Police Department and their collaborative effort to effectively address gang violence and its criminal activity. There needs to be information provided on the plans underway to ensure the safety of residents and to maintain the level of service.
Additional safety issues have been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and residents remain concerned that hikers continue to ignore signage that trails are closed, and instead, walk through without masks and do not observe social distancing. Many of these trails start in residential neighborhoods and Sheriffs are needed to patrol these areas where breaches are occurring. The recently appointed, Captain Marjory Jacobs has done an excellent job building her relationship both with the community at large, and individuals, continuing the rapport the station has grown over the years.
Closing the station is unacceptable
Closing the station is unacceptable and incurs a diminishment and loss altogether of the Sheriffs participation in local programs, which is foundational to maintaining the bonds with the community. I hope you will reconsider your plans and identify other areas for addressing projected budget cuts that do not imperil public safety. If you have any additional concerns, I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss this matter and possible alternatives. Feel free to contact me at (626) 351-1917.
Sincerely,
Assemblymember Chris Holden
41st Assembly DistrictCC: Congresswoman Judy Chu
State Senator Anthony J. Portantino
Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Billy Malone, Chair, Altadena Town Council
Marjory Jacobs, Captain, Altadena Sheriffs Station
John Perez, Chief, Pasadena Police Department
We need leadership to help Altadena residents fight closure to Altadena Sheriff’s Station – please communicate your plan, recommendations and resources you can offer your constitutes on this critical issue.
Villanueva has the authority to do this?? Who is his boss? We need to tell them NO.
With over 45,000 residents who are tax payers “Unacceptable” is correct.
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