GIFTS KEEP LAPD GOING POLICE 'BOOSTER' GROUPS GIVE CASH FOR NECESSITIES.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

Community support groups have come to the rescue of the Los Angeles Police Department, which can't afford basic office supplies despite its $840 million annual budget.

Support is particularly strong in the San Fernando Valley, where well-organized booster organizations have raised funds for such items as file cabinets, desks, chairs, scanners, fax machines, film, video cameras, vans, computers and the refurbishing of juvenile interview rooms and ``soft rooms'' for rape victims.

``There have been times we would not have been able to do our job if they wouldn't come to our rescue ... That's just what they do,'' said Sgt. Paul Anderson of the Van Nuys Division's Community Relations Section.

Police officials, many of whom were reluctant to talk on the record because of the sensitivity to criticism on the subject at Parker Center, said less than 5 percent of the LAPD's budget goes toward equipment.

``They give us an amount in the budget, but we have to decide what is priority,'' one LAPD police official said. Often, items like chairs and tables are extremely low on the priority list.

In addition, the LAPD's facilities are continuing to deteriorate and there is no money available to bring them up to acceptable standards, the official said.

Computer doesn't help

With morale and recruitment at a low, a lack of funds for certain equipment for LAPD officers poses yet another challenge that has only been compounded by glitches in the city's relatively new $22 million state-of- the-art computer system called PRIMA, for Procurement Receiving Inventory Management and Accounts Payable.

Officials said the system is improving after a series of early problems, including vendors not being paid.

The PRIMA system is supposed to consolidate and track buying, inventory and billing, but LAPD employees still haven't been adequately trained on operating it and divisions are still resorting to bartering for supplies they are lacking.

``We're spending (millions) on this program no one can access,'' one LAPD employee said. ``The feeling at the 18 divisions is that the program is so expensive, everyone must make it work. It's gotten so bad, we can't put pens and pencils out because (officials) are so afraid we'll run out of supplies.''

Another LAPD official said the supply problem has ``gotten a little better,'' but said obtaining supplies such as No. 2 pencils and legal pads has been difficult.

``You can't find a legal pad to save your life,'' the official said. ``People are using the pencils clear down to the nubs because there are no pencils.''

LAPD Capt. Joe Curreri said the Devonshire Division has received tremendous help from the area's fund-raising group, SOLID (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire), which has contributed $20,000 to $25,000 toward the station annually.

Supplies that are being purchased include domestic violence kits, laptop computers, cots, fax machines, surveillance equipment, bikes, video-editing equipment for robbery investigations and other essential items.

``I don't think we would be nearly as effective as we are without (SOLID's) assistance,'' Curreri said.

LAPD Deputy Chief Ron Bergmann, the police commander in the San Fernando Valley, said volunteer organizations have made major contributions to the five Valley divisions.

``Fortunately, we don't use (the money) much for supplies, but the bigger things that get cut out of the budget process,'' he said, noting items such as fax machines, tables, chairs and other items.

'Back to 'dark ages'

A request for donations is sent to the LAPD's Fiscal Operations Division and is processed through the department's trust fund.

If a donation is more than $10,000, it must be approved by the Police Commission and transmitted to the City Council for approval.

If the amount is less than $10,000, the amount can be approved by the Police Commission alone.

Sgt. Paul Anderson, of the Van Nuys Division's Community Relations section, said if not for the Mid-Valley Community Police Council raising $20,000 to $40,000 a year toward the Van Nuys station, officials would have much difficulty.

``We would just go back to the 'dark ages,''' he said.

Curreri said there have been occasions during the past month in which the Devonshire Division has had to borrow items such as copy paper and field interview cards from other divisions.

Capt. Ken Garner of the LAPD's Foothill Division said while the supply system appears to have improved, there are still glitches that have to be worked through.

``I think it's a matter of some back orders that haven't been filled and having to scramble and barter with other divisions,'' Garner said.

FABA (Foothill Advisory Boosters Association) has been donating about $12,000 a year.

Garner said FABA has been ``enormously helpful as far as getting us things we need.''

Lt. Gary Hallden of the LAPD's West Valley Division said the quirks have not all been worked out with the city's supply system.

``I just know they are still trying to work out the bugs, but it's gotten better.''

Sgt. Cindy Brounsten of the West Valley's Community Relations office said the the nonprofit group Bring Our Officers Safely To Every Requested Service has recently become a formal organization.

``I don't know how we would function without them,'' she said. ``(The group) gives us the equipment and materials ... the bigger-ticket items ... the things that make it easier for officers to do a better job in the community.''

Buying own staples?

A police source from one Valley division said LAPD employees were scheduled to receive additional training on the PRIMA system the week of the terrorist attacks, but that training has been postponed.

One clear improvement has been the accessibility of 100 forms used by the LAPD on computers, the source said, but the availability of computer terminals remains a challenge.

Sgt. Bill Martin of the LAPD's North Hollywood Division's Community Relations office said North Hollywood has had shortages in pens, VCRs, ``you name it.''

Without the East Valley PALS, ``it would be very difficult and individual officers would have to buy their own pens and staples,'' he added.

The East Valley Police Activity League Supporters raises about $100,000 annually for the LAPD's North Hollywood station, providing funds for file cabinets, computers, fax machines, cameras, chairs and other essential items, said the group's treasurer, Pat Kane.

For now, police stations are thankful they have such organizations ready and willing to lend a helping hand. The Devonshire Division is looking forward to an upcoming dinner SOLID will host to raise funds.

The dinner is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Christian School, 17531 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills, said the organization's president, Don Hoffman, who estimated that the group raises between $15,000 and $20,000 annually.

``Any time there is a need, SOLID is here,'' said Hoffman.