Parks Against 1/2 Cent Sales Tax

By Bernard C. Parks

Councilmember Parks is against charging taxpayer's an extra half cent on their sales tax to pay for officers that work only three days a week

I served in the Los Angeles Police Department for 38 years, the last five as Chief. The spirit of protecting and serving has expanded to my life in elected office. Now, it is my duty to protect and serve the interests of taxpayers. And, a ½ cent sales tax increase for more officers is not the way to do it, especially when the relatively few officers who are on duty continue to work three days a week. That is not making the best use of well-trained police officers or your tax dollars. Criminals work seven days a week with no time off.

For example, if the officers were deployed on a schedule known as the "4/10"(4 days a week, 10 hours a day) this change would represent a 20% increase in deployment of response units; if the officers were returned to a 5-day, 8-hour per day work week, this would result in a 30% increase in deployment of response units.

Simply put, the people of this great city would receive greater protection from the criminals, if we got full use out of the police officers who are currently in the department.

Financially, the 1/2 sales tax is just as dangerous because if would make Los Angeles have the highest sales tax in the state.

Taxpayers have already routinely shown their support for public safety for funding schools, libraries, police and fire stations and billion-dollar infrastructure needs.

Furthermore, the city's revenue has increased 4% a year for the last four years, equaling $500 million. But, instead of funding more police, we've given away $200 million in raises and $300 million in pension benefits.

This tax would be nothing more than a back door tax!