Police Foundation Has 2 Gifts So Far

The fledgling Simi Valley Police Foundation has garnered just two gifts so far in its nonprofit bid to raise money for the city’s new police headquarters.

One is a $500 donation from one of the foundation’s directors, Councilwoman Barbara Williamson.

The other is a $46,000 gift from Waste Management Inc., the firm that runs the Simi Valley landfill.

Williamson acknowledged Friday that with only two gifts in the till--albeit one of them very large--the foundation has started slowly in its quest to raise money for a new Police Department headquarters, its canine squad and other needs.

But she said of the Waste Management donation, which she solicited: “I think we’ve done extremely well for nobody even knowing [the foundation] exists.”

Williamson said she knew of the nationwide trash-hauling company’s checkered past, and that the City Council is satisfied that Waste Management’s record is clean in Ventura County. The company paid $52.3 million in fines during the 1980s and was involved in 10 criminal and 23 civil antitrust cases, according to a 1991 report by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

“We didn’t see that there would be a problem, but we certainly have our eyes open,” she said.

Simi Valley Police Chief Randy Adams said his department also knew of the company’s record, but has no concerns because “my understanding is they are operating a reputable landfill operation here.”

Waste Management officials could not be reached Friday for comment.

Adams said he is grateful the company gave money to the foundation for the $10-million headquarters project.

“I’m excited to know that the business community wants to step up and support us in that police foundation,” he said. “I think that’s a creative new way to provide additional support to the Police Department, and I’m looking forward to other citizens as well as businesses that want to support the department through donations.”