FALSE ALARM SOUNDED ON LAPD STAFFING LEVELS.

Byline: Bernard C. Parks 

I am responding to the Nov. 15 Daily News article, ``The thinner blue line: LAPD raids Valley to replenish patrols.'' The story misrepresented police officer deployment in the Valley community police stations, particularly at the West Valley Community Police Station.

It appears the story left out significant information from the Los Angeles Police Department command staff, spinning the article around with an alarmist tone. The reduction of officers deployed in West Valley in recent months was based on scientific analysis. This analysis relies on the Patrol Plan, a computer-based program recommended by external consultants and approved by the City Council in 1988.

The Patrol Plan utilizes a formula that determines the number of officers needed to provide a designated level of service in all areas of the city. The philosophy is to deliver equitable service throughout the city and provide patrol officers with sufficient time to work with the community to solve problems. Extensively studied and compared to previous deployment strategies, the plan uses effective and fair methods to allocate patrol officers based on calls for service.

The citywide Patrol Plan strategies are not applied for unjustified reasons or clandestine purposes, as unfairly implied by the article. They are mathematically designed to recognize patterns of workload and recommend personnel moves and the addition of personnel based on workload in the LAPD's 18 community police stations.

Let me assure the residents of West Valley that the department is highly committed to the constant buildup in public safety, more visible law enforcement and the continuous reduction in crime rates. Our deployment data, in fact, shows West Valley has gained 40 officers, from 191 officers in 1995 to 231 officers as of today. Of the department's four bureaus, the Valley Bureau has the largest number of deployed patrol officers and has increased its patrol personnel by 289, from 903 officers in 1995 to 1,192 patrol officers at the present.

Coupled with that is a momentous reduction in crime rates, even lower than most of the nation in many cases. In 1995, the Valley Bureau crime statistics peaked at 64,659 incidents. As of today, the bureau has reported 36,056 incidents, an astonishing 56 percent reduction. In emergency calls for service during the same period of time, West Valley experienced one of the highest decreases (20.5 percent). The reduction of crime in West Valley justifies the redeployment of patrol officers and reflects a judicious use of LAPD's resources. The article is also factually incorrect in stating a loss of 18 officers in the month of August. Our records indicate that taking into account transfers, there is a gain of one officer for that month.

The reduction in personnel is not unique to West Valley. In the same period, the number of patrol officers has fluctuated in all 18 community police stations. The reasons for these changes are multifaceted. Despite our aggressive efforts and a City Council-approved plan to increase personnel, recruitment is down. In addition, patrol officers promote, retire and leave; while workload increases and decreases throughout the city.

Efforts are under way to increase the number of the department's new recruits. Nonetheless, I am dedicated to a fair and equitable appropriation of patrol officers and resources citywide. The department is currently reviewing all aspects of the Patrol Plan strategies and, if any inequities are discovered, they will be rectified immediately. I can assure you the West Valley Community Police Station has been treated fairly based on the Patrol Plan's recommendations.

As I have repeatedly emphasized, it is the department's intention to keep all neighborhoods safe, to reduce crime and the fear of crime throughout the city.

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Photo: Bernard C. Parks