Stacking Up Support for Sheriff Block

Even though the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been hit hard with accusations of corruption and brutality, the first speakers at a supervisorial hearing on the controversy had nothing but praise for Sheriff Sherman Block.

By the time the witnesses--city officials from around the county--had completed two hours of testimonials, you wouldn’t think Block had an enemy--or a critic--in the world.

There were more than 100 more speakers to follow in the almost 10-hour hearing Tuesday, many of them hostile to the sheriff. But they never overcame the pro-Block momentum established by the opening parade of witnesses.

The performance was an impressive display of the political power of the veteran cop, whose genial, grandfatherly style masks a fierce desire to win.

The council members were from small cities around the county--Bellflower, Artesia, San Dimas, Lakewood and other places. Towns rich and poor backed the sheriff. A strong vote of confidence from affluent La Canada Flintridge was followed by praise from working-class Paramount. “We support Sheriff Block’s efforts to provide service to our largely Hispanic population,” said Paramount City Councilman Manuel Guillen.

The hearing had been arranged at the insistence of Supervisor Gloria Molina, the only supervisor to insist that the board look into allegations that sheriff’s deputies were involved in brutality.

The other four supervisors are solidly pro-Block. “The most intelligent sheriff in America,” is how Supervisor Kenny Hahn described him at the hearing.

Hahn calls him “Sherm.” So do the other supervisors. Block’s hot-tempered predecessor, Pete Pitchess, treated the supervisors with scorn. Block acts as if they are trusted advisers.

So it was understandable that board Chairman Mike Antonovich arranged the witnesses so that elected officials would testify first. Antonovich has been in politics long enough to know what that would accomplish. Testimony friendly to Block would dominate.

The turnout of Sheriff’s Department backers was orchestrated by an organization that quietly wields great political clout throughout Los Angeles County, the Contract Cities Assn.

“Contract cities” pay Los Angeles County to provide basic services such as law enforcement under terms spelled out in contracts. While contract cities sacrifice direct control over cops and other service providers, the arrangement spares them heavy payroll, equipment and building expenses.

The sheriff’s relationship with contract cities is especially close. “He’s our police department,” Mayor Ron Oliver of Artesia told me when we talked on the phone the day after the hearing. “If they do something we don’t like, we’re down there jumping on our captain at the Lakewood station.”

The relationship is political as well as professional. Contract city officials have helped Block win his two one-sided election victories.

They help sell tickets to the fund-raising dinners that give Block an unbeatable financial advantage. Even a council member from a little city knows how to put the arm on local developers, cable TV operators, merchants, bankers and others who do business at city halls.

The council members permit their pictures to be used on Block’s mailed brochures. So if you live in Artesia, you’ll get a brochure with photos of Block and the members of the Artesia council. The text might boast about a Sheriff’s Department effort against Artesia gangs.

Last Thursday--five days before the hearing--the association board met with Asst. Sheriff Jerry Harper and discussed the upcoming event. “We put out a bulletin,” said Artesia Councilman Jim Van Horn, association president. “We said there was going to be a hearing and if you got anything to say for the sheriff or against him, get down there.”

At 3 p.m., two hours after the start, the parade of speakers supporting the sheriff continued uninterrupted. The capacity crowd of more than 700 included many Block critics and they were getting restless. Increasing numbers of boos and catcalls were evidence of a tense atmosphere.

Finally, Gerry Hertzberg, one of Molina’s aides, sidled over to Don Knabe, chief deputy to Supervisor Deane Dana.

He told Knabe there were 75 minutes more of elected officials on the schedule. He warned that the crowd was upset.

He asked Knabe to talk to Dana. Knabe walked over to his boss.

The warning was obviously heeded. In a few minutes Antonovich announced the end to testimony from elected officials. Others would be allowed to speak.

But by then, Block and his supporters had made their point.