Sheriff’s Dept. Will Keep Scouts’ Explorer Program

Facing strong public support for the Boy Scouts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has decided not to drop the Scout-affiliated Explorer police cadet program, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Sheriff Lee Baca’s decision came after thousands signed petitions supporting the national Scouting organization, which has come under fire for banning gay troop leaders.

The Los Angeles City Council has been reviewing a proposal to cut ties with the Scouts in the Los Angeles Police Department Explorer program. And Los Angeles public schools are studying the Scouts’ use of their facilities.

Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, a nonprofit legal defense organization specializing in defense of religious freedom and parental rights, lauded Baca’s decision.

“We will continue to be watching very closely to see how the city decides to treat the Boy Scouts,” he said, “and hope they will follow the county’s example.”