Community Voice Concerns Over Potential Contract with Sheriff

Some community members complained on Wednesday evening to Baldwin Park City Council members, regarding the recent injunction issued by a Los Angeles judge in the process the City is evaluating for a possible contract with the county Sheriff.

A pledge of support letter was presented to the Council, to be signed by its members, in which they were asked to "promise keeping the Police Department."

Councilman Ricardo Pacheco, who opposes dismantling the department, was the only one to sign the petition.

"This is a real problem, Baldwin Park does not need the Sheriff, we have an exceptional police department,"  said Mario Maciel, a resident of the city. "Please sign the commitment and end this nonsense,'" he added.

Residents circulated copies of the restriction issued by Judge Luis Lavin, in which the judge had strong words against the City's arguments in the civil suit presented by the Baldwin Park Police Union.

“…The court views with distrust the evidence that was presented on this issue by the city…", wrote the judge. (See attached document.)

"When a Judge says something like this, it's meaningful", said Gregg Tuttle, another resident. "You have to meet and confer with the members of the Baldwin Park Police."

John Rios, on his part, asked the city once again to present the "real" economic figures regarding the cost of eliminating the Police department and hiring the Sheriff.

"We want to see those figures and then let the people decide", he added.

Members of the Council directed residents to the initial proposal for the Sheriff's services, published in the City's website.

Mayor Manuel Lozano suggested the City should review again calling a vote for a measure to create a public safety tax to cover expenses and the budget deficit for upcoming years.

"Let them decide, lets do it, this way, at least we know if the residents want to continue to pay for its police department, because the fact ladies and gentleman this are harsh times."

Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco suggested to analyze the possibility of having residents vote on whether or not to hire the Sheriff's services.

The City's attorney was instructed to analyze the legal aspects of both proposals and present the results in upcoming meetings.