Panel to Hear Gays’ Grievances Wins OK
The West Hollywood City Council voted Monday to create a seven-member citizens panel to hear complaints from gays and others who allege abuses by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies.
The council unanimously approved the creation of a Public Safety Commission, despite the objection of Sheriff Sherman Block, who has said that such a panel is unnecessary. The Sheriff’s Department provides police protection to West Hollywood, where an estimated 35% of the 37,000 residents are gay, under an $8.5-million annual contract that expires next year.
Although city officials have praised the department for its crime-fighting abilities, gays have frequently complained to the City Council of being harassed by deputies.
The commission’s principal assignment will be to make recommendations on fire, seismic and other safety issues. It will have no authority to investigate alleged Sheriff’s Department abuses.
But Councilman Steve Schulte said the commission “will provide a badly needed public forum for people who feel that they’ve been abused by deputies.”
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
