SAN CLEMENTE : City Tentatively OKs County Police Force

A City Council majority on Wednesday approved in concept a $5.8-million contract to merge the 65-year-old local police force with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department starting next month.

By contracting for services with the Sheriff’s Department, which operates with a larger economy of scale, the cash-strapped city will save $2.1 million in the coming fiscal year and increase service at the same time, officials said.

Based on estimates for the 1994-95 fiscal year, the city would save almost $2.3 million in the following fiscal year as well, officials said.

In a 4-1 vote, the council renewed its support of the merger, a move that drew both vocal support and criticism from residents and business owners at the council meeting.

“I am absolutely confident that this contract is in the best interest of the community,” said Councilman Joseph Anderson.

Councilman Thomas Lorch remained a dissenter, saying residents should have a chance to decide whether they would be willing to pay more to keep the local department.

A final vote on the contract, which had been scheduled Wednesday, will be delayed until a special council meeting Monday to allow City Manager Michael W. Parness additional time to complete a severance package for police employees.

In February, after months of emotional debate, the City Council voted 4-1 to pursue a proposal to contract with the Sheriff’s Department.

Since then, Sheriff’s Capt. Doug Storm said a committee of city and county officials has been working on a final contract, which was presented to the council last week.

Residents and business owners angered by the council’s decision have launched a recall drive against Mayor Truman Benedict and council members Anderson, Scott Diehl and Candace Haggard. The group is also trying to place an initiative on the ballot that would overturn the council’s decision.

Officials insist, however, that although the police uniforms will change color, much will remain the same under the merger.

As requested by the city, the police station will remain open to the public 24 hours a day, and all dispatches for the city’s police, fire, public works and animal control would be handled from the same facility.

Even many of the faces on patrol will remain the same; all but two of the San Clemente police employees who applied to the Sheriff’s Department have been offered positions, Storm said.

And officials said the city would continue all familiar community-based services, including the Retired Senior Volunteer, You Are Not Alone, crime prevention, Explorers and reserve officer programs.