Hawthorne Voters to Decide on Utility Tax Hike for More Police

Hawthorne residents will vote Nov. 3 on a proposal to raise utility user taxes to boost the size of the police force by more than 40%.

With a majority vote, the measure could increase the city’s taxes on telephone calls, electricity, natural gas, water and cable television usage from the current 3.5% to 7%. The higher rate would generate an additional $3 million to increase the size of the 88-officer department by about 40 officers, said Mayor Steve Andersen.

“Citizens say (more police protection) is something we want, so we hope . . . people will dip into their pockets for it,” Andersen said. “We’re not going to impose this tax. If the people want it, they’ll vote for it.”

Councilman Larry Guidi, a strong proponent of the measure, expressed disappointment that the issue will not be decided earlier than November. He said he had hoped the council would pass the tax hike at its special meeting Thursday.

“I would have liked to start interviewing candidates in the next two months and have the new officers on the streets before Christmas,” Guidi said.

Hawthorne resident and businessman Mark Schoenfeld also was disappointed that the council voted to place the measure on the November ballot.

“I don’t think voters will move to raise their own taxes,” he said. Schoenfeld agreed that the city needs more police but said that he wishes the increase could have been adjusted so that heavy law enforcement users, such as apartment building owners, would pay a higher share of the bill.

Two tax increase proposals specifically earmarked for adding police officers were defeated in 1990. Andersen said he hopes this one will pass, saying the Los Angeles riots--and a gambling initiative also on the November ballot--should suggest to citizens that more police protection is necessary.