Citing Fires, Officials Urge Tax Extension OK : Election: O.C. public safety leaders say that unless voters approve half-cent statewide levy on today’s ballot they risk greater threats to property and well-being.

Playing off the heroic images of firefighters battling last week’s devastating wildfires, Orange County public safety officials on Monday urged voters to pass a half-cent sales tax extension on today’s state ballot, saying that otherwise they risk greater threats to property and safety.

“I was down in Laguna Beach during the past 48 hours watching those young men and women fight the fire and calling in help from all over the state,” Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates said Monday at a press conference. “Don’t send those people to war without the right tools to do the job.”

On the eve of Election Day, the sheriff’s plea was joined by Orange County Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi, Westminster Police Chief James Cook and other leaders who gathered on the steps of the Old Orange County Courthouse to preach the dangers of looming government budget cuts.

They are urging voters to pass a half-cent sales tax extension to help fund local safety and law enforcement programs. But opponents, including anti-tax groups throughout the state, have claimed that funds from the extension would do nothing more than swell government bureaucracy and leave little money for actual police, prosecution and fire services.

Carole Walters, president of the the Orange Taxpayers’ Assn., suggested that eleventh-hour public appearances by county leaders will not have much influence on today’s vote.

“For the most part, I think people have already made up their minds,” Walters said. “I think most people believe that the money raised from this tax will be going down a black hole.”

Still, law enforcement officials hoped that last week’s destructive wildfires, although tragic for the more 300 families in the county who lost their homes, would serve as a dramatic wake-up call for a campaign that has been largely waged on local radio talk shows.

“Last week, the world watched as firefighters battled the worst firestorm in the history of Southern California,” said Santa Ana fireman Patrick McHugh, who saw much front-line duty in Anaheim Hills and Laguna Beach.

“Not all the battles were won. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed. . . . And yet, the number of firefighters on duty each day is shrinking as cities and counties cut positions to save money.”

Backers maintain that the sales tax extension, known as Proposition 172, will maintain current funding levels for county and city public safety agencies statewide. The Legislature first enacted the half-cent increase in June, 1991, raising Orange County’s sales tax rate to 7.75%. If statewide voters reject Proposition 172, Orange County sales tax would drop to 7.25% in January.

If passed, the measure would generate $144 million each year in Orange County for the Sheriff’s Department, district attorney’s office and city police and fire departments.

The funds would help to offset property tax revenue losses of $2.6 billion statewide, resulting from the state government’s decision last spring to shift local property tax money to fund the California public education system.

On Monday, Sheriff Gates and McHugh pledged that the state’s entire public safety community would serve as the “watchdog” to ensure that funds generated by the tax extension would be reserved exclusively for safety services.

“There are some who say that elected officials will not use the money for public safety,” McHugh said. “I promise you right now that if that happens, firefighters will be leading the charge next November to get those officials out of office.”

Throughout the campaign, Gates has predicted that the proposition’s defeat would have a significant impact in Orange County, forcing the closure of the James A. Musick Branch Jail and the release of about 2,500 inmates. Also, layoff notices would be issued to about 200 deputies.

Gates, who has led the statewide campaign for passage of the issue, said other counties would suffer the same fate. In Los Angeles, Gates said, three jails would be closed and 800 deputies laid off if the proposition failed.

“Proposition 172 is about taking control of your life again; it’s about not living in fear,” Gates said to the applause of a small crowd, many waving signs in support.

Capizzi, whose department stands to lose about half of its lawyers, described the issue in grave terms.

“In Orange County, we’ve always enjoyed our wonderful beaches, performing arts centers, shopping centers and homes on the bluffs,” Capizzi said.