Rash of Thefts at Lindsay’s Office Sparks His Call for More Guards

Stung by a recent rash of thefts from his City Hall office, Los Angeles City Councilman Gilbert Lindsay called Friday for additional security officers and increased patrols to counter what he described as a spiraling theft problem in municipal buildings.

Lindsay, who chairs the Public Works Committee that will review the proposal, asked his council colleagues to consider adding eight security officers to the Department of General Services as a deterrent against thefts that have plagued City Hall and other city-owned properties.

A recent story in The Times had described the growing number of burglaries that have troubled city officials including break-ins at council field offices in Van Nuys and South Los Angeles and thefts from Mayor Tom Bradley’s district office in the San Fernando Valley. Officials in downtown City Hall and other city government buildings also reported burglaries ranging from stolen television sets and videocassette recorders to stolen automobiles from a parking garage.

In pushing for more security officers, Lindsay said Friday that thieves had recently taken an electric typewriter from the desk of his appointments secretary and pilfered supplies from his council office. Intruders even broke into his private chambers where they uncorked a bottle of champagne Lindsay had stored, the councilman said.

“They drank up some of the champagne and spilled some on the desk, and the desk had to be refinished,” Lindsay told The Times.

The councilman, who has been in office for more than 24 years, said security at City Hall has deteriorated and the theft problem has become acute at all city facilities. “I can’t see how it can get any worse,” said Lindsay. “It was bad enough before, and now it’s even more terrible.”

In calling for six additional security guards and two senior security officers, Lindsay suggested that the council also transfer more than $61,000 from the city’s reserve fund to the General Services budget to help offset the added costs.

The city’s security force, which is controlled by the Department of General Services, has shrunk from 85 positions to 55 over the last seven years. At the same time, the security officers--who are separate from sworn police officers--are expected to protect 1,000 city buildings, 20,000 employees and 10 million square feet of city property.

As the number of security officers diminished, the the city has relied more on electronic surveillance and alarm systems to safeguard its property. And Lindsay said city officials believe the additional officers could be assigned to night and weekend patrol in the city’s downtown buildings.

Lindsay’s recommendations were not discussed Friday but referred to the Finance and Revenue Committee as well as Lindsay’s Public Works Committee for review.