Out in Force to Support Local Police : Law enforcement: More than 150 pack San Clemente Council chambers and 7,000 sign petition opposing contract with Sheriff’s Department.

In an overwhelming show of support for their Police Department, more than 150 people packed the City Council chambers Wednesday, urging officials not to contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

One of the strongest showings came from members of the San Clemente Peace Officers Assn., who presented a petition to the City Council bearing the signatures of more than 7,000 residents, all in favor of keeping the 65-year-old department.

“Local control and local tradition are part of what gives San Clemente its village character,” said R. W. Trey Hunt, vice president of the Peace Officers Assn. “We are all equal partners, and we wish to have a say in this vote.”

Most of the speakers urged the council to put the controversial issue to a vote of the public, a sentiment that repeatedly drew thunderous applause.

“If you break down the dam of our Police Department, you are going to see a storm of violence and gangs hit this city,” Doris Schwartz said. “Keep local people in control of their local government. We do want a vote.”

Since the police issue was not on the council’s formal agenda Wednesday night, council members did not make any public deliberations.

A series of public hearings on the police issue and on a dozen other long-term financial studies under consideration by the council will begin next Wednesday. The City Council could take a final vote as early as Feb. 17.

At the request of the City Council, the Sheriff’s Department recently made a proposal to assume law enforcement duties in the financially troubled city of 43,172 for about $5.78 million for each of the first two years, a savings to the city of about $2 million per year.

Under the sheriff’s proposal, the number of street patrol officers would increase by as much as 75% at night and 35% during the day, and 48 sworn police officers would get raises of about $10,000 to $14,000 per year should they choose to become deputies.

Much of the savings could be achieved without cutting service because the Sheriff’s Department already owns its own equipment and because the cost would be shared among the eight other cities already under contract with the sheriff.

Sheriff Department’s officials have also promised to hire almost all of the 75 sworn and civilian employees of the San Clemente department. About eight full-time civilian positions would not be needed by the Sheriff’s Department, but officials have promised to find those people comparable jobs in the city or county.

In a recent report also requested by the City Council, Police Chief Michael Sorg said his department could not survive any major budget cuts without seeing a dramatic decrease in service. Instead of supporting a merger with the Sheriff’s Department, Sorg suggested that officials seek a tax increase to deal with a citywide budget shortfall that could reach at least $2 million in the coming year. The city also suffered about $1 million in damage to public property during this month’s rainstorms.

Sorg said he would support a contract with the Sheriff’s Department only if voters rejected a tax increase and the department could be saved only by making massive service cuts.

At least one resident in the audience said he would be willing to support a special tax to save the department.

“I think everyone is willing to somehow find the money necessary,” Shawn Miller said. “All these people signed the petitions. It should mean we’re willing to do what it takes to make it happen.”