Police Phase-Out to Be Weighed

In an attempt to cut costs, the Hermosa Beach City Council agreed Tuesday night to study the feasibility of phasing out the city’s 37-officer Police Department and contracting with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The $3,500 study was approved just days before the police contract expired at midnight Thursday. City Manager Kevin Northcraft said the study is part of a citywide effort to improve efficiency and has nothing to do with contract negotiations with the officers,

In a report to the council, Director of Public Safety Steve Wisniewski estimated that using sheriff’s deputies could save the city close to $2 million a year on its police budget of $4.4 million. Although Wisniewski has defended such a change, many residents and police officers argue that a big disadvantage to a county contract would be loss of local control.