Single-District Police Tax Plan

I was stunned by Los Angeles Chief of Police Daryl F. Gates’ response (Letters, April 14) to my article (Editorial Pages, April 10) on City Councilman Robert Farrell’s single-district tax plan for more policemen.

I do not understand why Gates supports the beginning of a process to dismantle a citywide approach to fighting crime.

Instead of a united war on crime, the Farrell plan will divide Los Angeles into neighborhoods, or block by block, hiring of policemen based on ability to pay. We could end up with 15 City Council members with their own uneven district police units.

Gates’ statistics prove what we already know, that high crime combat zones need more police resources, and that policemen are needed in all parts of Los Angeles, not just in one district.

The police deployment formula is supposed to put resources where they are most needed. This should be a matter of public policy, not a decision based on administrative discretion or the generosity of a non-elected official.

Once the Farrell tax plan is defeated in June, and a new police deployment formula is publicly discussed and accepted, the United Neighborhoods Organizations will join religious, business and community leaders, including Gates, for a bona-fide, all-out campaign for more citywide resources to fight crime.

The “Soweto Township Tax,” as his district residents call the Farrell plan, is too cynical in discarding potential citywide support for more policemen.

LOUIS R. NEGRETE

Chairman

Police Deployment Committee

United Neighborhoods

Organization

Los Angeles