Op-Ed: Lakewood, use more Reserve Deputies
Instead of private security, there's a better way to fight crime, says candidate.
By Gregory Slaughter, candidate for Lakewood City Council (District 2)
March 28, 2022
In its desperate attempt to cover up its failed leadership, on public safety, the Lakewood City Council has ignored the best available tool for combatting crime – reserve deputies.
Reserve deputies are already certified peace officers with arrest authority. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has a pool of 600 reserve deputies to use for paid assignments. Twelve reserve deputies are currently assigned to the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station. These reserve deputies currently provide increased public safety at the rate of $1 per year for their volunteer service. Using reserve Sheriff’s deputies is a far better solution rather than bringing in a politically connected private security firm.
My personal experience is an example of just how effective an enhanced reserve deputy program can be. I started my law enforcement career as a reserve police officer. I was a volunteer at the rate of $1 per year. For many years I have urged our council members to expand the ranks of our reserve deputies, by offering stipends to talented college students and volunteers. This would beef up our reserve deputies program’s ranks. The stipend would be used to offset the volunteers’ academy expenses. The academy currently lasts up to a year with a commitment of attending every weekend. It is a tremendous sacrifice, but we all benefit from their volunteer commitment to enhance our public safety.
In contrast to such a proven public safety program, the purported “Neighborhood Safety Enhancement Plan” has serious concerns that remain unanswered. What process will be used to select the security firm? Keep in mind that this is a creation of Todd Rogers and Steve Croft in an election year.
Also of concern is how effective this private security firm may be. Other than being passive observers, if a crime is witnessed, how will the security guards report their observations to the Sheriff’s radio dispatchers? Would they use their cell phones to report their observations? Or, will they be issued Sheriff’s Department radios, thus violating a host of state laws? Keep in mind that the security guards cannot detain, arrest, or legally pursue any suspects.
In addition, deputies assigned to the Lakewood station have worked under a tremendous strain affecting their morale. Our outgoing station captain was one of the lowest rated captains in the recent ALADS Leadership Assessment, June 2021. Our captain was rated #17 out of twenty rated captains. The most common comments were his lack of genuinely caring for his deputies and a lack of character for a leader. Our city council members were well aware of this situation but allowed it to continue. Our residents and deputies deserved better but our council members failed to act. The security guard band aid action is misleading all Lakewood residents.
NOTE: The Lakewood Populist supports Gregory Slaughter for City Council, District 2. However, while the Lakewood Populist has an opinion (see our “About” page), we try our best to be fair and always accurate. Therefore, the Lakewood Populist welcomes any Op-Eds from Slaughter’s political opponents, incumbent Steve Croft and fellow candidate Laura Sanchez-Ramirez.