South Pasadena : Police ‘Baby-Sitting’ Fees

Parents of juveniles who are detained by police for more than an hour may have to reimburse the city for “baby-sitting” costs under an ordinance approved unanimously last week by the City Council.

Under the measure, which takes effect in 30 days from Wednesday’s vote, the Police Department, at its discretion, will be allowed to recoup the cost of supervising youths held for nonviolent crimes while they await release to a parent or guardian. Police Chief Tom Mahoney said his department detains one or two juveniles per week, with an average holding time of two hours.

The fees will be set at 150% of the actual salary cost of the officer or officers required to supervise the juveniles, who must be held in an unlocked room. Administrative costs account for the extra 50%.