CITY TO MERGE ITS SECURITY FORCES.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer After two years of review, the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. voted Wednesday to create a new Office of Public Safety to coordinate all city security forces under one agency. The nearly 400 officers will be managed by the Department of General Services and will provide security at all city buildings as well as libraries, parks, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo The Los Angeles Zoo founded in 1966, is a large zoo located in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Zoo, located in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, is home to 1,200 animals from around the world. and the Convention Center. ``We have been trying to do this since 9-11, to better coordinate our security forces so we can respond to an emergency,'' Councilwoman Wendy Greuel Wendy Greuel is President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District. Greuel was elected in 2002 to fill the remainder of the term of Councilman Joel Wachs. She was elected in her own right in 2003 and reelected in 2007. said before the 12-0 vote. ``The goal of this is simple - to improve the service and level of safety for the general public.'' The decision will become final after the council's expected approval of two ordinances Friday, and their signing by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. . Officials said they hope to have the new unit operating by Jan. 8. Greuel said the consolidation is designed to coordinate city response to potential emergencies. A separate civilian commission is to be created, comprised of members nominated nom·i·nate tr.v. nom·i·nat·ed, nom·i·nat·ing, nom·i·nates 1. To propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. 2. To designate or appoint to an office, responsibility, or honor. from the existing Recreation and Parks, Library, Convention Center, Zoo and Police commissions. While some expressed concern about the impact on parks, City Administrative Officer Bill Fujioka said the 19 park rangers A park ranger is a person charged with protecting and preserving protected parklands, forests (then called a forest ranger), wilderness areas, as well as other natural resources and protected cultural resources. will continue to work separately even though they will be included in the new agency. Councilman Tom LaBonge Tom LaBonge (b. Los Angeles 1953), member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 4th district. He has served since 2001, taking over the position upon the death of John Ferraro. also won support for a proposal to try to hire an additional 37 rangers to supplement that force. ``We think that once this is in place, that it will increase safety at all parks,'' Fujioka said. ``We will have more officers available to respond to problems at individual parks than we now have.'' Julie Butcher, general manager of the union representing most of the workers that would be affected, supported the merger. ``This is really about the most efficient way to use people and resources,'' said Butcher, of Service Employees International Union, Local 347. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com |
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