Wednesday 29 June 2022 07:45 AM West Hollywood votes to DEFUND the sheriffs and reduce their staff numbers by ... trends now
West Hollywood's city council voted on Monday to defund their sheriffs - despite crime earlier this spring rocketing 137 percent, year on year.
The proposal will see the current force of around 60 sheriffs' deputies reduced by four.
Funds saved by reducing the headcount will be used to pay for unarmed 'security ambassadors' under a scheme called Block By Block.
Despite slashing the policing budget, the council agreed to stump up funds for a Russian arts festival - increasing their contribution by $14,000 to $50,000.
Lauren Meister, mayor of West Hollywood and a member of the council who voted against the plan, called it illogical, noting that the Los Angeles enclave is afflicted by violence.
West Hollywood's city council voted on Monday to defund their sheriffs - despite crime earlier this spring rocketing 137 percent, year on year (file image from 2020)
'I'm not going to vote for the budget if we cut the sheriff's (funds),' Meister said, according to local news site WeHoville.com.
'First of all, nobody has the gun problem that we have in this country. You can't expect us to have a public safety team where most of the people aren't armed in order to defend our citizens.'
West Hollywood Sheriff's Station polices the City of West Hollywood and the unincorporated communities of Franklin Canyon, Universal City - which includes Universal Theme Park, Studios, and Citywalk - and the Federal Enclave in West Los Angeles.
Fellow councilman John M. Erickson, voted with her to oppose the plan.
'Community safety is our number one concern,' he told Fox News.
'When I've heard from countless residents about how they want to feel safer, that involves comprehensive planning and something that is not just drawn out over a decision.'
The proposal was passed three votes to their two.
Sepi Shyne, who proposed the plan, said the sheriffs cost too much, and the Block by Block program represented more 'bang for the buck.'
'What we know now is our residents want foot patrols,' said Shyne.
'We need to be fiscally responsible.
Councillors Lindsey Horvath (left) and John D'Amico (right) voted with Shyne to defund
Mayor Pro Tempore Sepi Shyne was for and John Erickson was against
Lauren Meister, the mayor of West Hollywood, voted against the plan to defund the sheriffs
Los Angeles County Sheriff officers disperse demonstrators protesting over Breonna Taylor in West Hollywood, California on September 25, 2020
'And we have all talked for two years. Reimagining policing means reallocating funding. You can't just say it without actually doing it. Period.'
John D'Amico, another councilor who voted in favor of Shyne's plan, emphasized that it will see more people patrolling the street, through the Block by Block plan.
'In my mind, this is an increase of safety services with 60 additional eyes on the street working directly with the residents and the sheriff and code compliance and our social services providers - and two fewer deputies this fall,' he told Fox News in a
