CITY BUDGET BOOSTS LIBRARIES, PARKS OVER NEW POLICE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

A $4.01 billion city budget that reduces the emphasis on the build-up of police officers in favor of creating ``safe havens'' for young and old alike was recommended Friday to the full City Council.

The Ad Hoc Committee on the Budget, a five-member council committee, unanimously adopted the spending plan that dramatically increases spending on libraries and parks and attempts to address basic city needs such as street improvements.

``I think we have come to recognize that public safety is more than just hiring more police officers,'' said Councilman Richard Alatorre, who headed the panel. ``It is about the quality of life, of making sure parks and libraries are open and can provide safe havens to children and our senior citizens.''

The council is scheduled to begin its deliberations May 19.

The committee proposed adding $11 million in spending to the budget - although much of it will be offset with state or federal grants or other revenue.

The city could add $21 million to its budget by establishing a street deterioration fee against companies or agencies that cut up city streets and increasing the amount paid by the city's special wastewater fund to the general fund.

In taking the action, the committee is recommending that library hours be expanded from 52 to 60 around the city and that security guards be provided for those libraries open at night.

It also provides funding for more recreation supervisors to keep parks open longer hours.

The only area in which the committee opposed Riordan was in reducing from $1.5 million to $1 million the amount budgeted for the New Los Angeles Marketing Partnership program.

Riordan budget director Chris O'Donnell said the mayor's office was pleased with the committee's action and did not expect the problems that have marred past budget efforts.

While the mayor did not abandon his plan to increase the size of the Los Angeles Police Department, he did scale back its growth. The budget calls for 165 new officers in addition to replacing those who quit or retire this coming year.