MAYOR BACKS TRASH FEE WINDFALL WOULD GO FOR 1,000 NEW COPS.

Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer

Calling it the best option to help balance an out-of-control city budget and hire 1,000 more police officers, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday proposed imposing a trash-pickup fee for homeowners that would raise $127 million by 2010.

Beginning in fiscal 2006-07, the plan would add $7 to the $11 that homeowners currently pay monthly for trash equipment. The rate would increase in subsequent years and reach $28 a month by 2010.

The controversial fee also would apply to apartments with fewer than four units, which now pay $7.50 a month for the city's recycling program.

"I am using my political capital for this," Villaraigosa told Daily News editors and reporters during a citywide swing to build support for the plan, which will be included in his budget proposal to be released today.

"I believe that public safety is the top priority we have and this is the only way we can get a steady source of revenue to hire the police I think we need.

"Look, New York City is the safest big city in America. It has 36,000 cops. Los Angeles is the second-safest and we only have 9,200. We need more police."

With Police Chief William Bratton at his side promising to improve on that record if he gets more officers, the mayor pledged to hold the line on other city costs - including upcoming contract negotiations with police and firefighter unions.

"I have made clear we are not going to give them everything they want," Villaraigosa said. The consumer price index here is 4.5 percent. Nationally, it's 5.2 percent. We are going to be under that."

Officials with the Los Angeles Police Protective League said they will study the mayor's plan for beefing up the LAPD's ranks.

"What's important is that the city remain competitive in trying to recruit and keep officers," union President Bob Baker said in a statement.

At the LAPD's West Valley station, Villaraigosa and Bratton pitched their plan to officers during afternoon roll call.

Bratton said some of the money would be used to beef up a counterterrorism unit, staff the new Mission Division in the San Fernando Valley and offer senior officers opportunities to rise in the ranks.

Villaraigosa unveiled his plan as he seeks to close the $300 million gap between revenues and expenditures that looms after years of using one-time money to cover ongoing costs.

He said a steady stream of revenue to hire police is needed to guarantee there will be enough recruits to fill each of the 11 classes held annually at the Police Academy.

Recruiting has long been challenging, with officials blaming the low regional unemployment rate, stiff competition from neighboring cities and a dearth of qualified candidates.

If his plan is approved by the City Council, Villaraigosa said, he envisions being able to add 135 more officers next year, reaching a goal of an 11,000-officer force by 2010.

The department now is authorized to have 10,200 officers but has a sworn force of 9,200.

A trash-collection fee has been talked about at City Hall for years, but never gained any real support from the City Council. The idea was most recently floated by the administration of former Mayor James Hahn during last year's mayoral election campaign.

Villaraigosa said he believes the council will be willing to support his proposal and the public will back it - as long as the money is earmarked for police.

"My plan is to make sure all this money goes for public safety," Villaraigosa said. "The council, of course, can change that. But my intent is for this money to be set aside for public safety only."

Villaraigosa said the city's subsidy of trash service - owners of larger apartment buildings and all commercial buildings pay private haulers - costs the city more than $200 million a year.

"What do you say to apartment tenants who are paying for this in their rent? It isn't fair to them to subsidize homeowners," Villaraigosa said.

But the proposal immediately drew protests from Valley leaders who questioned its fairness, particularly when the city recently agreed to continue the use of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Granada Hills for at least the next five years.

"It makes no sense to me whatsoever," said Kim Thompson of the North Valley Coalition. "I don't know why the mayor would do this.

"We get all the city's trash and have to pay for getting rid of it as well? It doesn't seem fair when they can't even hire enough cops now."

Jamie Cordaro, president of the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council, said it didn't strike him as an equitable proposal.

"What they are doing is basically asking homeowners to carry all the burden of expanding the Police Department," Cordaro said. "It just seems the cost should be spread out among everyone."

Thompson and Cordaro said they plan to meet with officials and other neighborhood groups to get involved with the debate.

But most city officials said they agreed the time is right for a trash fee.

"I have supported a trash fee for more than 13 years," said City Controller Laura Chick, who formerly served on the City Council. "I think it's the only way we are going to find a steady revenue source to hire more police officers."

Councilmen Herb Wesson and Greig Smith also said they would support the plan, but would like to see some flexibility in how the money is spent.

"The truth is, we haven't been able to hire all the officers we want," Smith said. "The Police Department should have first call on this money, but we also should be able to use it for other programs."

Still, some officials and others were wary.

"I think this is going to be a tough sell to residents," Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said. "If we do this, I think we need to have a contract with the public that this money will go only for public safety."

Some West Valley police officers also expressed cautious support.

"We're all for it because it will help us out," said Officer Andy Azodi, an 11-year veteran of the force. "Not with this mayor, but we're frustrated because other politicians have said it, and then it didn't happen. It can sound like a broken record."

Staff Writer Susan Abram contributed to this report.

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa talks with police officers at the West Valley police station in Reseda about his plan to hire 1,000 new officers. The plan includes raising trash pickup fees for homeowners from $11 monthly to $18.

(2 -- color) Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, right, and Police Chief William Bratton unveil a plan to hire 1,000 new police officers at the West Valley police station during roll call in Reseda on Wednesday.

(3 -- color) LAPD officers at the West Valley station listen as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveils a plan to hire 1,000 new officers.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Box:

Mayor's plan

SOURCE: Los Angeles Mayor's Office