San Gabriel Valley : West Covina Mayor Calls for More Police

West Covina Mayor Steve Herfert believes crime in the city’s Paseo neighborhood deserves immediate attention.

Herfert has introduced a plan to combat what he called a “growing Paseo crime spree” by adding more police protection, both public and private. His proposal suggests drawing nearly $300,000 from other sources to pay for a private security force, three additional police officers and raises to attract more reserve officers.

The City Council ordered further study of crime in the area. But Councilman Ben Wong called the proposal a “knee-jerk reaction” whose goals might easily be accomplished in other ways.

Police Sgt. Marc Taylor said of the proposed private security force: “We don’t need it.”