San Gabriel Valley : POLICE OPTIONS
Covina’s Police Department could be replaced with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or a new “super” police department for cities in East San Gabriel Valley.
Covina City Council members are pursuing money-saving options as they await the voters’ decision in November on whether to repeal the city’s 8.25% utility tax, which raises $3.6 million annually.
Councilmen John Wilcox and Chris Christensen want the city to study the possibility of contracting law enforcement services to the Sheriff’s Department, which would absorb most of the city’s police force. The move would save at least half of Covina’s $7.9-million law enforcement bill.
“I don’t care if it’s Covina police or the sheriff, as long as we have the same number of cops,” Wilcox said. If voters repeal the utility tax, six police officers would be laid off, he said.
Other council members suggest a “super police department,” combining forces with perhaps neighboring Glendora, West Covina or Azusa.
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