Cities no longer have the luxury of their own planning departments, library systems (unless privatized) and numerous other departments with multiple layers of administrators. The best for the citizens is to outsource, merge and consolidate agencies and departments within an area or county. That includes police and fire protection.
“Baldwin Park is among the growing list of cities that has considered parting ways with a city-run police department in order to cut costs. Outsourcing public safety can be contentious (take the city of Yorba Linda and Fullerton), but since police services are typically the most expensive budget item for a city, contracting out the service has proven economical for many cities facing financial hardship. For example, San Carlos, Half Moon Bay and Millbrae have all contracted out police services.”
Does it make sense to have three or four police chiefs, traffic administrators and narcotic squad leaders in an area? It is time to merge and consolidate into a more modern dynamic. Simi Valley is about to look at this. Council member Beccera announced he wants a study of all departments in the city—everything is on the table. I agree with him—it is time to be frugal with tax dollars and this is one way.
Growing Trend? More Cities Consider Outsourcing Police Services to Trim Costs
California Cities News, 11/6/12
Baldwin Park is among the growing list of cities that has considered parting ways with a city-run police department in order to cut costs. Outsourcing public safety can be contentious (take the city of Yorba Linda and Fullerton), but since police services are typically the most expensive budget item for a city, contracting out the service has proven economical for many cities facing financial hardship. For example, San Carlos, Half Moon Bay and Millbrae have all contracted out police services.
Baldwin Park is deciding whether to contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and recently approved a study of the matter on a divided vote. The city currently pays $19.5 million to operate its police department. Supporters of outsourcing the service argue it is the best way for the city to address its budget woes. Baldwin Park would reportedly save $4.7 million annually under the switch.
However, the Valley Tribune points out that “Despite the potential savings associated with the proposal, some residents are concerned that the new deputies won’t have as vested an interest, knowledge or connection to the community as the city’s current police department does.” There are concerns that cities that contract with a sheriff’s department lose some control and cannot enforce a similar level of accountability.
But many cities have countered that these concerns are unfounded because of the positive experiences associated with contracting out the service. Sam Olivito, executive director of the California Contract Cities Association, is quoted as saying that “There are no longer terms that people like to hold on to like a `full service city’ or `independent city.” See more here.
