Measure for Police Takes Priority
Former Hawthorne Mayor Guy Hocker said this week he will halt his campaign to legalize gambling in the city until the the fate is known of a possible ballot measure to increase taxes to add police officers.
Police Chief Stephen Port has been meeting with residents about placing a measure on the June ballot to raise taxes to pay for 40 additional officers. The council will consider the matter Monday night.
Hocker, who has said the revenues from gambling casinos and card clubs can help pay for boosting the police force, told the council Monday that he thinks voters should first decide on Port’s proposal before considering his own suggestion.
Port, who said he has no specific tax increase in mind, said the additional officers would cost $2.9 million annually.
In January, Hocker asked the City Council to place on the June ballot a measure to legalize gambling.
Last month, the Ministerial Assn. of Hawthorne and Lawndale unanimously opposed Hocker’s proposal.
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