Statement on LAPD Topanga Station Rumors
A few individuals have started to spread false rumors about the LAPD Topanga Police Station. I absolutely will do everything in my power to prevent station closures and ensure that first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. I continue to be a steadfast supporter of all three of the stations in my district — Topanga, West Valley and Devonshire — and am extremely grateful to the brave men and women who protect and serve our community every day.
Indeed, we are in financially perilous times right now and it’s important to understand what is and isn’t happening with regard to the Police budget and other City Departments budgets.
- The City is currently facing a $675 million deficit. LAPD Chief Michel Moore has said that if draconian cuts happen, some stations could face closure. This would be awful and must be avoided, and I’ll continue to fight to prevent closures.
- The City Administrative Officer (CAO) recommended beginning to prepare for a worst-case scenario, which in their view could mean laying off more than 900 police officers. This is not acceptable, even during our current budget crisis.
- I’m fighting for far less drastic cuts in the Budget Committee. I instructed the CAO to look for other alternative cuts, and to limit even the possibility of layoffs to far fewer officers. While I’m very concerned about even considering these layoffs, the budget shortfall is too dire to ignore options.
- I strongly opposed a proposal to spend $90 million of the unallocated funds set aside during the June budget process on a series of Council directed projects. I refused to support new spending when we’re considering layoffs, especially when those funds could help preserve jobs and services. Though the full Council passed the spending proposal over my objections, I was pleased that the Mayor vetoed it.
- I’ll continue to urge our State (which currently has an upwards surplus of $26 billion) and Federal governments to offer relief to prevent layoffs of police, firefighters, and other city workers. I urge everyone to reach out to our State and Federal representatives to let them know we need emergency funding to prevent serious cuts.
I want to be clear: while I support creating alternative 911 non-armed responses for certain non-violent situations, I do not support and have never supported extreme “defunding of our police.” Alternative interventions can allow police to focus on real crime, can save money, and can produce better outcomes. I’ll strongly fight against any closure of the Topanga, West Valley, and Devonshire Police Stations – and I’ll keep the community informed.
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