For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Haney (213) 741-1500
Or (213) 741-1500, Ext. 504
May 20, 2009, Los Angeles – The recently released city budget report showing a $530 million shortfall will test the city's stated commitment to make public safety a top priority. The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), addressing the city’s urgent need to effect major cost savings and adopt innovative sources of generating revenue in order to keep this promise, recently presented a wide ranging 16-point proposal to city leaders.
”The League believes the ideas in our plan will put public safety and other essential city services on secure financial footing now and for the future. They should be implemented immediately to help offset the proposed budget cuts to the police department,” said Paul M. Weber, President of the Los Angeles Police Protective League.
“The spillover effect from a decrease in public safety far outweighs, in dollars and personal tragedy, the pretend savings factored into a one-year budget spreadsheet. Prosecuting crimes is far more expensive than preventing them, so cutting the police budget will only cost the city and taxpayers more money in the long run. It is also not the time to backtrack when Los Angeles’ commitment to public safety is paying off with significant decreases in the crime rate,” added Weber.
The crime rate in Los Angeles is the lowest it has been since 1956 and last year the total number of homicides dropped to a 38-year low. Chief Bratton credits these substantial crime reduction results to the professionalism of the men and women of the LAPD, proactive crime-fighting strategies and tools, new technology, strategic operations, community partnerships and an increased number of sworn officers.
“The city, in establishing its budget, must consider that without safe and stable living conditions as a foundation, it cannot attract new residents and businesses,” said Weber. “Reliable government services are the base from which businesses and individuals build a viable and prosperous society. Investing in public safety is a necessary component to emerging out of the current economic crisis, and must remain the priority of city leaders.”
Cost Savings Ideas for the City of Los Angeles
1. Have all three pension funds combine their administrative staffs for member services; examine using a single investment bank and actuary; negotiate fees with consultants; and examine all ways to reduce costs by using the same custodian, accountants and audit firms. We estimate that combining these services would save the city $60 million per year.
2. Ask the court to allow the City of Los Angeles to stop paying the federal monitor for overseeing the portions of the Consent Decree that have already been found to be in compliance. The LAPD has been in compliance with 95 percent of the Consent Decree requirements for five years, yet the city continues to pay over $2 million per year to the federal monitor, Kroll Inc.
3. Implement a 4/10 schedule for all non-public safety entities, closing offices on Mondays or Fridays. The State of Utah has implemented this schedule and experienced significant cost savings – for example, energy costs are reduced by not heating or cooling offices on closed days. In addition, traffic is reduced on those days, which would be particularly beneficial to the quality of life in Los Angeles.
4. Increase Police Commission fees to recover actual costs of city services.
5. Explore consolidation or elimination of certain departments to reduce duplication of efforts, reduce training/equipment costs and enhance service to the public.
6. Have the city join LA County and other cities (eventually expanding statewide) in a purchase co-op for materials that these entities routinely purchase, including, but not limited to: office supplies, vehicles, fuel and police/fire equipment.
7. Reduce power usage by city departments by utilizing “smart” power strips, timers or even unplugging computers and other equipment when not in use. Utilizing low-energy/long-life bulbs and turning them off when not in use has led to an estimated cost savings of 5-10% by companies who have begun implementing this rule.
8. Continue meeting with TriStar to discuss efforts to streamline and reduce Workers’ Compensation costs. The League and Department’s efforts have already saved millions of dollars by eliminating needless delays in treatment – allowing for injuries to be treated quickly and effectively before they become chronic conditions.
9. Consider incorporating wind and solar power in all future city governmental buildings; improve insulation to reduce energy costs.
10. Have the Police Commission investigate and enforce auto park permits. Parking lots are required to give the city a percentage of revenue; however, compliance is not actively enforced, resulting in a significant amount of lost income to the city.
11. Participate in the industry-standard practice of billing outside agencies that routinely use LAPD facilities to process reports, book arrestees and other services, which is consistent with these agencies billing LAPD for the same types of services.
12. Offer a tax amnesty and collect back taxes.
13. Outsource bad debt collection instead of writing off the debts, which only increases the burden on taxpayers.
14. Review and eliminate the numerous non-required commissions.
15. Establish joint meetings of the city, LAPD, and the League to set goals as a way to lobby Sacramento and Washington, D.C. for grants and other resources from the $4 billion included in the Stimulus Program for law enforcement programs.
16. Establish a joint working committee in order for the elected officials, community leaders and the League to work together to assist in bringing new business to the city.
About the LAPPL Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,800 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com
