Coronavirus: Sheriff's Stations In Altadena, Marina Del Rey Will Close July 1 To Save $12.2M
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Two Los Angeles County sheriff's patrol stations will need to be closed because of budget cuts, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced Monday.
Patrol stations in Altadena and Marina del Rey will be closed effective July 1 to save $12.2 million, the sheriff said in a news conference.
Those communities will not be left without any law enforcement, however. Altadena will be patrolled by the Crescenta Valley Patrol Station, and Marina deputies will report to the South Los Angeles Patrol Station. Villanueva said the changes will largely affect administrative personnel.
Like all agencies throughout the country, the LA County Sheriff's Department is grappling with the sudden expenses of the coronavirus pandemic. Villanueva says more than 1,100 employees have been quarantined and 84 have tested positive.
Among inmates, more than 3,200 have been quarantined, and 120 have tested positive for coronavirus. Another 180 inmates are awaiting test results.
However, the budget approved by the LA County Board Of Supervisors for the sheriff's department is $400 million short of "the actual cost of providing public safety," according to Villanueva.
Villanueva also wants to eliminate the parks bureau and have responsibility for parks security revert to local stations, a move that will save $32.5 million, and the Community Partnerships Bureau to save an estimated $30 million.
Other cost-cutting moves Villanueva is proposing include dropping 10 positions on the Homeless Outreach Services Team to save $1.4 million, dropping positions from the Youth Activities League, Community Relations and Search & Rescue, along with fewer detectives in high-profile bureaus like Special Victims, Gang Investigations and Major Crimes.
