City Council Committee Proposes Cutting Police Force
Since the Mayor released the City's proposed budget on April 21, the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee has been holding hearings to obtain more information from the City Administrative Office (CAO) as well as various Departments as it looks to reinstate positions and look for cost savings elsewhere. Based on a report by the CAO, the Budget Committee supports a slowdown in hiring that would leave the Los Angeles Police Department with about 8,400 officers by June 30, 2026, down from more than 8,700 this year and about 10,000 in 2020. The slowdown in police hiring would leave the LAPD with its lowest level of sworn staffing since 1995. (Read more in this article.)
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, an outspoken opponent of police spending who sits on the budget committee, requested the analysis. According to a recent LA Times article, Hernandez called the committee’s decision to cut police hiring in half over the coming year — taking Bass’ proposal for 480 recruits down to 240 — a good start.
A decrease in the number of sworn officers, coupled with the elimination of civilian positions in the LAPD, would reduce the size of the force at a time when Brentwood continues to see a rise in burglaries and armed robberies. Statistics from the first quarter show an increase in burglaries for the second year in a row. We know an increase in police presence and detectives reduces crime. Now is NOT the time to reduce the number of officers protecting our community.
Make Your Voice Heard Now
The members of the Budget and Finance Committee and full City Council need to hear from us THIS WEEK. We encourage everyone to submit a public comment to the Council File opposing this reduction. It is very easy to do. Just complete the form with your name, email, council file number 25-0600 and either attach a letter or write it directly on the form. Be sure to state your name and say you reside in CD-11. You may also wish to comment on other cuts outlined below.
Additional Budget Proposals Impact Brentwood
BHA has met with Councilwoman Park and reviewed the budget and we share her concerns outlined in her letter submitted to the Committee.
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HOMELESSNESS BUDGET -- No funds should be given to LAHSA until the uncertainty around the future of the program is determined given the County's withdrawal and the recent information about misspent funds and mismanagement.
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LADOT -- 22% reduction in LADOT enforcement means reduction in traffic and parking enforcement. Traffic Control Officers diverted to acting as crossing guards will reduce an already small workforce that helps with traffic management, something Brentwood is desperately in need of.
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PUBLIC WORKS -- Cuts will increase wait times even longer for essential services like street repair, tree trimming, and sanitation services while fees for street lighting, sanitation and other services will increase.
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DEPARTMENT OF REC AND PARKS -- Cuts to staffing will keep Barrington Park and Crestwood Hills Park in disrepair. Maintenance of these parks is woefully inadequate and the budget will not improve it.
