By Keegan Kyle
A year ago, the San Diego Police Department’s top brass pushed against an article I wrote about the city’s new policing strategy.
I found the department had gradually shifted away from the proactive, problem-solving concept that gained international acclaim in the 1990s. San Diego’s cops were spending much more time reacting to crimes than addressing the underlying causes.
City and police officials attributed that shift to budget cuts and Police Chief Bill Lansdowne’s priorities. When the budget ax fell on San Diego police, Lansdowne chose to dismantle proactive functions in order to maintain patrol levels and response times.
Now, in a new report to the City Council, police say their ties to the community have become stressed. They’re seeking more funding — $66 million over the next five years — and argue the money would help restore some of the proactive functions they’ve lost.
A City Council committee is scheduled to discuss the proposal today at 2 p.m. To watch the hearing online, click here.