Long Beach Considers Hiring Sheriff’s Deputies
The Long Beach City Council agreed his week to consider hiring Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in place of Long Beach police to patrol about a fourth of the city, which has recorded a sharp increase in crime since 1988.
The council will ask Sheriff Sherman Block to submit a proposal that would have deputies patrol the north and northeastern parts of the city. City Manager James C. Hankla said he suggested the inquiry because the council had asked him to look at ways to expand policing. The move would free up 30 to 50 officers to patrol elsewhere.
The council also gave Police Chief Lawrence Binkley a vote of confidence in anticipation of a vote of no confidence by the police union, which is polling its members this month.
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