STANTON : City Won’t Consider Police Service Change

Though the city has one of the highest crime rates in Orange County, a majority of City Council members do not want to consider police services other than the Sheriff’s Department.

Garden Grove made a preliminary proposal in September to provide Stanton with police services, but City Manager Terry Matz recommended against asking for a detailed proposal from the Garden Grove Police Department.

Councilman David John Shawver criticized the council majority, saying, “I can’t believe you wouldn’t even take a proposal.”

The Garden Grove proposal was $250,000 cheaper than the present contract with the Sheriff’s Department, but it may not provide the same level of service.

Shawver was supported by Councilman Harry Dotson. “It may be that the Sheriff’s Department is too expensive for little old Stanton,” Dotson said. “I think we need to go further with the discussion.”

But Councilman Joe Harris said he likes the sheriff’s service and suggested that Garden Grove also contract with the sheriff. “I would recommend them to anyone,” he said.

Councilman Don Martinez said he thinks that the city should consider consolidating police services with other cities. “Why should every city have duplicate services?” he asked. But he also said he wanted to consider the matter later.

“You people won’t even ask what options there are,” Shawver said.

The council voted not to pursue the Garden Grove proposal, with Shawver and Dotson dissenting.

Matz gave a written opinion to the council which said the Sheriff’s Department has better resources and experience to tackle Stanton’s crime problems.

The city should only look for a new police services provider if they are unhappy with the Sheriff’s Department, Matz told the council.

The Sheriff’s Department has been serving Stanton since 1988. In May the council approved a five-year contract that will expire July 1, 1997.