Community Policing

Re “Riordan Lashes Out After L.A. Loses Funding,” May 30.

Mr. Mayor, why are you so shocked that no new federal money is being given to Los Angeles for hiring additional police officers? Let’s look deeper for a moment, where I believe the rationale lies.

We are told daily that “crime is down.” We are also told that community policing is a significant factor in decreasing crime rates. We then hear that in City X, its community cops are succeeding in suppressing crime because they know the citizens and community they patrol and are able to pro-actively prevent lesser crimes from escalating. Police forces are praised by both their political leaders as well as residents for improving public safety.

Now what does our new chief of police propose? To remove our community cops and return them to general patrol duties. In fairness, he believes that all cops should be in tune with the community, but in this city that is impractical, if not impossible. Our patrol officers chase radio calls, jumping from one neighborhood to another. They have no time to do pro-active policing; they are relegated to reactive policing.

So while cities across the land dedicate platoons of officers to community policing, our chief has said to his community policing officers, “Program over!” Los Angeles is now headed backward in time, to the detriment of the community. This sentiment is felt but is understandably not expressed by many officers--they know the score.

If I were President Clinton, I wouldn’t reward Los Angeles either! Mr. Mayor, why are you angry? You got the chief you wanted, not the chief the rank and file or citizens wanted. We will now pay for his misguided reorganization plan. And once again, we’re paying for another poor decision of yours. Thank You, Mr. Mayor.

ELLEN BAGELMAN

Van Nuys