Kathryn Barger (Photo – @supervisorbarger)
After Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced on Monday, May 4, 2020, a proposed closure of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Altadena (and Marina Del Rey,) Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office has responded with a letter to the Altadena community.
By News Desk
Below is the letter sent out by Supervisor Barger to all Altadena residents that have reached out about the Sheriff’s proposed closure:
Thank you for reaching out regarding the announcement by Sheriff Villanueva to eliminate multiple sheriff’s stations, including the one in Altadena, which I represent.
There are more sensible adjustments…he can make…
I share in your disappointment about this decision by Sheriff Villanueva. Especially considering that there are more sensible adjustments that he can make such as reducing overtime expenses and scaling back training academy classes.
Financial challenges
For quite some time, the Sheriff’s Department has run a substantial deficit that the County is unable to maintain. These considerable fiscal issues, led predominantly by overtime costs, have become even more pronounced given the financial challenges we are experiencing during COVID-19.
Finding appropriate solutions
The Chief Executive Office has provided the Sheriff’s Department with guidance and suggestions for appropriate budget cuts that would not impact public safety or the community.
I have spent more than 30 years as a public servant in Los Angeles County and dedicated this time to ensuring public safety in our communities. I continue to encourage Sheriff Villanueva to work with the CEO’s office to find appropriate solutions that will help resolve the financial issues in his department, while still maintaining his commitment to protect and serve our residents.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Barger
Chair of the Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
The Altadena and Marina del Rey patrol stations will be closed by July 1 to save $12.2 million, according to Sheriff Villanueva.
Over the years we have been told of the critical importance of the police/sheriffs being on good terms with the public with whom they work. This has been the case here in Altadena, where the sheriffs are a integral and trusted part of the community of Altadena. It took hard work, and we deserve to keep our sheriffs. Their presence has kept the crime rate low, and their proximity enables fast reaction to local problems.
With the Covid-related rapidly increasing unemployment and crime and emotional crises, now is not the time to eliminate the sheriff station. Crime is assuredly on the upswing and it has been their presence and visibility that has kept Altadena safe. We need their continued presence, not remote coverage. The sheriff station in Altadena MUST remain in place!
What are we paying (high) property taxes for? Time to exit LA County and incorporate?
Cut overtime to keep our station open.
What?
What can the citizens of Altadena do to respond?
Supervisor Barger should get her crime statistics together to demonstrate the current lack of law enforcement capable in Altadena. He letter to the Sheriff seems far to ” Breezy” for an elected official!
You’re right. She doesn’t care, just writing a quick “I don’t agree with this” comment for publication. Tell me what you’re going to do about it!!! Villanueva is anything but a law and order guy – put into office through ballot harvesting (illegal in most states). The illegal immigration special interest groups have their guy as head of a law enforcement agency. Another nudge to get the hell out of CA for good.
With budget deficits throughout the nation due to the #pandemic I xpect there will be many govt cuts.
Not okay.