Police Substations

Your March 31 article and April 1 editorial on the costs and benefits of Los Angeles Police Department substations have led your readers to incorrect conclusions. Some of these substations represent one of the greatest bargains the taxpayers and the LAPD are likely to receive.

In Encino, for example, the police substation is supplied free of charge to the city by Rickie Gelb, a civic-minded commercial landlord. This free rent saves thousands of dollars in taxes. Telephone service and electricity for the substation are paid by the volunteer organizations whose members have contributed countless hours to keeping the substation open and functioning. These volunteers also provide, free of charge, the office equipment and furnishings needed to make this substation effective.

Substations also give citizens a sense that this is their city and they are contributing significantly to it. Most importantly, the substations are symbolic of the success of community-based policing.

MARVIN BRAUDE

City Council, 11th District

In 1995 a group of residents and businesses worked with the Hollywood Police Station to establish a Community Police Service Center. We wanted more police presence because there had been a street prostitution problem for many years. We formed a nonprofit corporation, raised funds, rented a storefront at 7578 Sunset Blvd. and paid for the renovations. We pay all maintenance and utility bills. Neither the LAPD nor any other city department spends a penny for the use of our service center.

Our center has volunteer staffing but does not have any full-time LAPD staffing. Officers come in to do paperwork and will shortly be able to do computer reports. Uniformed vice officers and the bicycle team use the center for planning sessions. Our senior lead officer stops by frequently to exchange information with the volunteers.

The establishment and maintenance of our center has led to much greater communication and cooperation between the Hollywood Division and citizens. Hollywood Vice has done an outstanding job in enforcing AB 1035, which makes it a crime to loiter with the intention of engaging in prostitution or drug dealing. The prostitutes and pimps who thronged Sunset Boulevard have virtually disappeared. Residents and businesses feel very positive about the efficacy of our Community Police Service Center.

JIM TARTAN, President

Hollywood Sunset

Community Police Assn.