TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to provide an update on how the Long Beach Police Department is responding to the increases in residential crimes being committed in the Eastside Division and to determine what additional funding is needed to deal with AB 109 realignment and the increases in residential and other crimes.
DISCUSSION
The Eastside Division of the Long Beach Police Department encompasses about 50 percent of the City of Long Beach. Its boundaries are Cherry Avenue on the West to the Orange County Border on the East; the Lakewood border on the North down to the ocean on the South.
Reports indicate that there have been serious increases in residential and garage burglaries and auto theft. Residential burglaries were up 19 percent from 2011, while garage burglaries jumped by almost 50 percent.
Approximately 300 residents attended a community meeting at EI Dorado Community Center on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 to discuss their concerns about the increases in residential crimes that are being committed on the eastside. Specifically, residents recounted day and night-time residential, garage and auto burglaries as well as theft of catalytic converters from underneath their vehicles.
Eastside Commander Paul Lebaron fielded numerous questions from participants concerning police staffing, the impact of AB 109 Realignment, and the fact that many of these crimes are crimes of "opportunity" and can be prevented by locking doors and windows, removing valuables from cars, placing cars in the garage and reporting suspicious activities to the police. He mentioned that the LBPD had formed a Public Safety Realignment Team to identify and check on probationers.
Residents also stated their concerns about the abolishment of Neighborhood Watch and the fact that while replaced with "Community Watch" the police staff that assisted neighborhoods is gone.
Finally, several residents stated that they would like to know what on-going strategy LBPD is adopting to deal with both the realignment and release of criminals, and the continuous residential crimes being committed on the Eastside.
Determination of Additional Funding
Despite receiving $525,092 for this Public Safety Realignment Team, no additional officers were added to the police force. These funds are being used for straight time and overtime, along with training and investigative work to identify and prioritize compliance checks on local probationers. The Public Safety Realignment Team consists of six officers, one sergeant and one probation officer.
It is not clear if the Anti-Gang unit has been restored to full strength since being cut in prior City budgets. Most importantly, the City Council has not been informed as whether or not there are sufficient patrol officers for the City in light of the release of prisoners.
FISCAL IMPACT
To be determined by City Manager.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERRIE SCHIPSKE
COUNCILWOMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT