Law enforcement

By Steve Mick

I fully support local law enforcement

The largest single budget item for most cities is for law enforcement. That will also be true for Alamo. Our projected yearly expenditure will be 42 percent of all general fund expenditures - about $3.2 million. The Contra Costa County Sheriff will continue to provide law enforcement to Alamo for the first transitional year of incorporation. After that, Alamo will have the option to contract with another agency.

Early in the transitional year I will vote to form a Task Force to assess Alamo's law enforcement needs and make recommendations to the town council for a future contract provider. Members of Alamo's two Police Advisory Committees: P-2B and P-5 and other interested residents will be encouraged to serve on the Task Force.

Speaking of our Police Advisory Committees, there has been some discussion in the community on what will happen to them after incorporation. I will vote to keep these committees in place and revenue that is now dedicated to their respective jurisdictions will continue in place.

Under current economic conditions and for the foreseeable future, the county will be unable to provide any enhancements to law enforcement in Alamo. In fact, the Sheriff's Office, along with other county agencies are having their budgets cut. This means that the only way that Alamo will see any enhancement to local law enforcement is through incorporation.