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Crime & Safety

City Approves Resolution for Additional Officers

Officials could look to LAPD to put more police on the streets.

Citing a recent rise in home burglaries, the Sierra Madre City Council approved a resolution allocating General Fund monies to appropriate additional part-time hours for more police.

The funding totals $93,000 and would pay a one-time contract for an additional 1,920 for part-time officers.

The city is seeking to staff two vacant peace officer positions. The process to recruit, test train and provide background checks would be one year in most cases.

Officials want the vacancies staffed much quicker and state hiring part-time officers from the Los Angeles Police Department as a quick, effective way to hire. The city could see these additional officers on the streets within 60 to 90 days.

City officials blame the share of increased crime in Sierra Madre on prison realignment (AB 109) since its implementation in 2011. Although officials admit no AB 109 criminals live in Sierra Madre, those released under AB 109 move through town and commit these crimes.

"I just want to reiterate that times have changed. We still continue to have burglaries from unlocked doors and windows. These burglars for the most part are people coming through our town. They're looking for an easy way in and an easy way out," said Larry Giannone, police chief.

The chief reported that call for suspicious activity rose in the last couple of months rose by 50 percent.

In 2010, Sierra Madre initiated a similar part-time police officer program. The only agency to respond and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding was the LAPD, officials said.

The city would pay for this one-time contract through revenue generated by a contract extension with Athens Services.

To view the agenda report, click the link.

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