Allocation of Officers in Valley Is Defended

A Los Angeles police official Tuesday defended the department’s policy of allocating fewer officers to the San Fernando Valley than other parts of the city.

Although the Valley may get fewer officers per resident than the rest of the city, it still boasts a better police response time and declining crime rate, both of which are more important factors in allocating officers, Capt. Gus Drulius of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division told a luncheon meeting of the Northeast Valley Business Watch. Drulius told the crowd of about 40 at a Granada Hills restaurant that the Valley gets its fair share of officers, and will continue to do so under Mayor Richard Riordan’s proposed public safety plan.

“Something is going right, because in all five areas of the Valley, crime has dropped, and the Foothill area has had a drop in gang-related activity, which is running counter to the trend in the rest of the city,” said Drulius.

The newly appointed head of the Foothill Division joined Councilman Richard Alarcon and Deputy Mayor Bill Violante in touting Riordan’s blueprint for law enforcement that would put about 3,000 new officers on the streets.

Alarcon also went on record supporting a Sylmar location for a proposed new police academy, saying it would help deter crime in that community.

“The reason is, if you look at the police manual, the way you reduce crime is to increase visibility,” Alarcon said.

Alarcon also said he would support a Riordan suggestion to use some of the city’s estimated $16 million in financial reserves to fund the police initiative in its first year. It remains to be seen how the city will pay for the rest of the $300-million plan, he said.