HAWAIIAN GARDENS : Residents to Be Polled About Police Force Tax
The City Council is polling residents to determine whether they are willing to pay a 6% utility tax to create a city police force.
The 20-officer force would cost about $900,000 to establish and $2.1 million a year to operate. It would replace most services now provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which charges the city $1.6 million a year for police protection.
The survey will be conducted by mail and door-to-door, said Mayor Pro Tem Robert Canada. He estimated that the tax would cost most families an extra $6 a month. Senior citizens and low-income residents would be exempt. If residents oppose a tax, the city will seek federal and state funds, he said.
Councilman Domenic Ruggeri, who originally supported creation of a city police force, said the city cannot afford it. He said he doubts that the city will be able to find federal money for the police force.
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