SAN CLEMENTE : Panel Advises City to Disband Police

A group of prominent San Clemente residents, appointed to study the city’s dire financial situation, recommended Thursday that city officials disband the Police Department and contract for services with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to save money.

The Blue Ribbon Committee, whose six members include a former city treasurer as well as business owners and consultants, also recommended that the City Council consider levying additional taxes and fees, but only after first switching to the Sheriff’s Department.

The committee released a statement Thursday predicting that unless bold steps are taken, San Clemente would suffer a $6.35-million budget deficit by the end of fiscal 1994. That amount includes projected shortfalls of $1.5 million in operating costs, $844,000 for emergency reserves, $2.5 million for property repair caused by recent storms, and $1.5 million in state budget cuts, according to committee member Jim Hill.

To keep the 65-year-old Police Department, which has been understaffed for the last two years, operating at its current status “would require a significant increase in taxes,” the statement said.

The committee concluded that the wisest action city officials could take, among other tough measures to balance the city’s $20-million annual budget, is to dismantle the Police Department, which costs more than 30% of the city’s general fund. The committee also suggested that the council decide the police issue itself and not put it to a vote--as hundreds of pro-Police Department residents have demanded.

“The City Council, with access to all pros and cons, definitive data, is the only body fully qualified to make fiscally sound decisions,” according to the statement.

The committee is the first group to formally speak out in favor of the controversial proposal to abolish the police force.

Last month, the Sheriff’s Department promised San Clemente would save $2 million annually if it contracts with the department.

Residents have packed City Hall three times within the last five days demanding that the issue be put on a ballot and threatening to recall council members otherwise.

The council is continuing to study the proposal, along with other cost-cutting measures, and is expected to make a decision next Wednesday.

Many residents are skeptical of the sheriff’s proposal, which stated that for $2 million in annual savings, sheriff’s deputies would provide the same or better services than the local department.

Sheriff’s officials quoted $5.8 million in costs to the city, compared to the $7.8 million it will cost this year for the Police Department.