Los Alamitos Rejects Police Merger

Los Alamitos city officials on Monday rejected a proposal to cut costs by consolidating its police force with the Cypress Police Department.

Council members cited a number of reasons for the decision, primarily a satisfaction with its existing police department. They instructed city staff to find alternative ways to save money.

Cypress Police Chief John D. Hensley and Los Alamitos City Manager Robert Dominguez supported the merger, saying it would save about $350,000 a year for Los Alamitos and about $550,000 for Cypress.

The plan, however, met with opposition from Los Alamitos residents and the city’s police force. They feared that Los Alamitos would lose its small-town identity and lead to longer police response times. Residents and business owners packed the small council chambers Monday night to make their opinions known.

Councilman Ronald Bates said the city should look into consolidating other government services with nearby cities. He cited the record-keeping department, police investigations, holding cells and vehicle maintenance as alternatives.

One resident said she found out about the proposed merger as she and her family were closing escrow on a house in Los Alamitos on Friday.

“Cypress has drug and gang activity. It’s ridiculous to say we’re going to have better response times,” Misty Yukihiro said.

Councilwoman Alice Jempsa said she would never have agreed with the proposal Cypress had offered.

“I don’t want to be the poor stepchild” of Cypress, Jempsa said.