Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/01/2012 06:56:54 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council on Monday will consider a recommendation to solicit a proposal from the Sheriff’s Department on what it would cost to contract with the county law enforcement agency for policing services.
As part of a major organizational restructuring of city operations in light of its filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 1, the possibility of outsourcing various services, including police and fire protection, has become a necessary evil.
City Attorney James F. Penman initiated a discussion with the Sheriff’s Department to determine whether contracting for law enforcement services was feasible.
Sheriff Rod Hoops said his department could provide a formal proposal if a majority of council members requested in writing a proposal and authorized the interim city manager to provide the information to the Sheriff’s Department to develop the proposal, according to a staff report prepared for the council.
The city is also considering requesting a proposal from the county Fire Department at a later date, Penman said.
“There’s no plan to put a similar proposal on Monday’s agenda regarding the (county) Fire Department, however, that could come at a future date,” Penman said.
Penman said he doesn’t expect the move will fare well with the city’s police and fire unions, the San Bernardino Police Officers Association and San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters.
“I think both unions will oppose this very strongly,” Penman said Thursday. “At the same time, I think the city has an obligation to be open and above board on this and not to try and spring it on people.”
Penman met with the police union’s president and vice president on Monday to tell them of the city’s plan.
“Penman says it’s part of the bankruptcy process. They have to look at all areas, and it’s my understanding this isn’t necessary,” said Steve Turner, president of the Police Officers Association, or POA.
The POA held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter. Turner would not disclose what was discussed or any action the union plans to take.
Penman said he also met Monday with the president and secretary/treasurer of San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Scott Moss and Greg Parker, respectively, to tell them the city is considering seeking a proposal from the county Fire Department.
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Sheriff Hoopster: “Sure Jimmy, we’ll work the City up a bid to convert the SBPD to the SBSO, but first I’ll have to get some information from the City Council, the City Manager and staff about what they are looking for in their law enforcement for San Berdoo doo, you know their vision for the future.”
City Attorney Penman: “What are you talking about Rod, their vision, you must be hanging onto every word that your boss Gregory Peckory tells you… bet the next thing you’ll be bringing-up is what kind of quality-of-life do we want in this City?!”
Sheriff Hoopster: “You must be reading my mind! That’s exactly what Greg told us to ask, and to make sure we get it in writing and approved by the Council, and of course approved by legal counsel too, that means you Jimmy!”
Penman: “You must be kidding, you want the seven member City Council and the Mayor to all agree on a vision of the future quality-of-life for San Berdoo doo residents and businesspeople… they can’t agree on anything?!”
Sheriff Hoopster: “Once we know your vision for law enforcement, then we can determine how much it will cost to provide that level of protection to the community, c’mon Jimmy, were not talking rocket science here, it’s only public safety.”
Penman: “And lets just say that the level of protection that the City desires is cost prohibitive? In layman’s terms, what if it costs too much to provide the level of law enforcement services for the community, that is desired to retain or better the quality-of-life for our residents?”
Sheriff Hoopster: “Ok, Greg told me it would be like this, that you guys would be pleading poverty because you’ve got that little b word going in federal court… Bankruptcy! Don’t worry, have we got a deal for you, sort of like a fire-sale price, only this is for police protection by SBCo’s finest!”
Penman: “Bottom-line then, what kind of deal do we get… this almost feels like extortion because you guys are the only other game in town, and basically we can’t afford what we’ve got now, and have to show the Feds in court that we are putting cost-cutting measures in place, to do everything we can to pay our bills. The legal fee are the real dozy in the equation for the BK process, and that cost will determine how much we can afford to pay for the police… we’ll have to go bare bones on the size of the force we need.”
Sheriff Hoopster: “I’m taking notes here… heard the City cares about quality-of-life, but due to being BK, you’re looking for bare bones with your boots on the streets… you know all that lawyering just seems to make you double-speak about everything. I’ll make it simple Jimmy, and put it in cop talk for u, how many murders are in your future vision for downtown, and how much longer do you want to keep your job at City Hall? Greg says the only quality the City will be able to afford will be if enough taxpayers and businesses end-up being able to stay alive through this City’s BK process, in order to pay-off your fat retirement from all those legal fees!”