CALL TO ACTION - Proposed Budget Cuts to the Long Beach Police Department - August 12, 2020

Call or email your elected representative in the City of Long Beach:

Participate in the City's budget survey (click here)

Submit public comment for budget or City Council meetings:

• Via telephone - click here to sign up
• Via email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

***Tuesday, August 18th is the LBPD budget presentation to the Council.  That is the meeting where PUBLIC COMMENT  is most needed.  Fill out the City Council  Special Meeting Budget Hearing Public Comment Sign-Up Form (click here) to let the entire Council hear your voice during that meeting.

Proposed Budget Cuts to the Long Beach Police Department

The City is proposing drastic cuts to the Long Beach Police Department budget.  A total of 54 sworn positions will be eliminated with 29 of those positions being replaced with civilians.  There have been no detailed studies or discussions about how the proposed cuts will make residents safer or services more efficient.  

We understand that the City is facing significant budget challenges.  These are tough decisions and we are in the midst of tough times, but the safety and secutiy of our community should be the highest priority.  The City must assess and understand the impact of the cuts before final decisions are made.

The City Council will hold public budget hearings between now and September 15, 2020.  To prevent the City from falling into a deeper public safety crisis, we need to ensure our officers remain in their positions.  We must participate in the budget process and our voices need to be heard!

Budget Timeline

Tuesday, August 18th - LBPD budget presentation to Council

The City is hosting four public budget meetings throughout the month of August.  The meetings will be accessible by computer or phone and will take place from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on the following days (click on the date to access the zoom portal):

• Thursday, August 13
• Thursday, August 20
• Monday, August 24
• Wedesday, August 26

LBPD Budget Facts

During the 2009 recession, staffing was cut by roughly 20%, with only a small number of those positions restored.

Now the City is proposing to cut the LBPD budget by $10.3 million.  This includes 54 sworn police officer positions and 13 civilian positions.  The specific sworn positions to be cute are listed below:

• 16 patrol officers spots to be eliminated and replaced with unarmed civilians
• 6 police officers eliminated from the Helicopter Unit (civilianized)
• 5 police officers eliminated from the Natrcotic Field Enforcement Team
• 5 police officers eliminated from police substations (civilianized)
• 4 police officers eliminated from the South Division Bike Unit
• 4 police officers eliminated from the Traffic Motor Unit
• 3 police officers eliminated from the K-9 Unit
• 3 police officers eliminated from the Warrant Detail (civilianized)
• 2 police officers eliminated from the Violent Sexual Predator Unit (civilianized)
• 2 police officers eliminated from the Los Angeles Metro Detail
• 1 police officer eliminated from the Special Investigations Unit (civilianized)
• 1 police officer eliminated from the LBUSD School Resource Officer Program
• 1 police lieutenant eliminated from the West Division
• 1 police lieutenant eliminated from the Vice Detail

Important Points Regarding the Proposed Budget Cuts

• The proposed cuts to the Police Department are drastic and will affect public safety.
• There have been no detailed studies or discussions about how the cuts will make residents safer or services more efficient.
• Crime continues to occur, and these cuts could jeopardize the safety and security of our communities and businesses.
• I am concerned that less patrol cars on the street will mean longer response times to emergency calls.
• I am afraid the City has not properly planned for civilians to resond to active 911 calls.  This is a knee jerk reaction and is too risky.
• I/we strongly encourage the City to assess and understand the ptoential impact on public safety before the proposed cuts are finalized.

As always, a personally written email from you using the above message points will make a stronger impact to the City Council in their budget deliberations.  However, we have provided a simple email template (click here) that will still be useful in urging the City Council to rethink the proposed LBPD budget cuts.