Laguna Likely to Hire Officer by July 1 With Anti-Crime Grant

Laguna Beach will likely have one more cop on the beat this summer after the city was awarded a grant from President Clinton’s anti-crime package last week.

Police Chief Neil J. Purcell Jr. said Thursday that he applied for the grant to “preserve our quality of life” and to stave off gang activity and violent crime.

While Laguna Beach has not been immune to such problems, they have occurred more often in other Orange County communities.

“They occur all around us,” said Purcell, adding that Laguna Beach still has no known gangs within its boundaries. “And it’s a matter of time before we experience problems such as what these other cities are experiencing.”

The “Cops Fast” grant, which targeted cities with populations under 50,000, was also awarded to Seal Beach.

Under the grant, the federal government will pay 75% of the cost of one new officer for three years, with an annual maximum of $75,000, Purcell said. The city pays the remaining 25% for the three years and 100% thereafter.

The plan still must be approved by the City Council.

Laguna Beach has 45 sworn police officers and a population of 24,000. Purcell said he hopes to swear in a new officer by July 1.

The officer would conduct foot and bicycle patrols of the Main Beach area and the downtown business district and patrol the sands in an all-terrain vehicle this summer, Purcell said.

“I want him out there where he’s very visible and involved in those types of programs,” Purcell said, “especially when we get the influx of people into our town.”

Purcell said he was notified by the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday that the city had been awarded the grant. Cities with populations over 50,000 were eligible for money under a separate program.