LA County Board ‘Does Not Prioritize Public Safety,’ Sheriff Says

MARINA DEL REY, CA — Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is criticizing the county Board of Supervisors' refusal to let him close two stations because of a budget deficit.

Villanueva addressed the Board of Supervisors directly over the Marina del Rey and Altadena stations at a weekly news conference Wednesday. The Board of Supervisors this week voted to halt the sheriff’s plans to close the Marina del Rey and Altadena stations.

“The sheriff’s department is forced to run in the red because the Board of Supervisors does not prioritize public safety, and they are the ones that hold the checkbook. We have to keep that in mind,” Villanueva said.

In a presentation early Wednesday, Villanueva described how the sheriff’s department is facing a deficit. During the news conference, he shared reports from 2018, when he took office, and how overtime and staffing problems have hit the department.

Villanueva shared a statement from Supervisor Kathryn Barger in 2018, arguing that sheriff's department staff works overtime, with unfilled positions: "It is not fair to ask them [deputies] to work large amounts of overtime."

"But that is exactly what they are now asking," Villanueva said, referring to the Board of Supervisors.

"And in recognition of the fact we're facing unprecedented financial uncertainty, this department is prepared to do anything to make sure we keep everyone safe," Villanueva said. "And if that means I'm going to don a suit and go out and ... hit the road answering calls for service in Altadena, I will be the one doing that, if it comes to that."

The sheriff has argued that the $3.5 billion he has been allocated by the county is $400 million short of what he needs to run the department. The budget is still subject to changes.

The board vote is not certain to have the desired effect on Villanueva, who has resisted earlier attempts — including a lawsuit filed against him by the board — to rein in his authority as an elected official.

Villanueva also threatened to shut down the Parks Bureau and cut detectives from key bureaus, among other plans. However, he has repeatedly promised that the patrol deputies in Altadena and Marina del Rey would remain on the job and visible to residents, and that personnel cuts there would come at the administrative level.

Supervisor Janice Hahn pointed out that the Marina station oversees the harbor master and boat patrols she views as critical to public safety in that community.

"Closing stations should be an absolute last resort," Hahn said.

More than one longtime resident praised the Marina del Rey station deputies.

"We need our station and deputies in the close proximity to our community," said Lorinee Jackson, a lifelong resident of the unincorporated community of View Park. "Knowing we can count on the Marina del Rey station to be there for us when we need help completes our community."

Another woman who has lived in the community since 1973 and has owned a health food store and restaurant there for decades urged the board "to fairly and equitably have all citizens absorb the reduced funding."

- City News contributed to this report.

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