By Council promotes six police officers

The Los Altos City Council created a new police rank last week as part of a city plan to improve department operations.

The new field positions will essentially promote six officers from patrol to agents, a position above officer but below sergeant. The agents will act as supervisors, overseeing the field operations of their particular patrol team in the sergeant’s absence.

The council approved the funds required to reclassify six officers during the 2001 budget last June following recommendations from a police service audit submitted by Hughes, Perry & Associates last fall.

Each of the department’s four patrol teams will include one agent. The remaining two agents will move about in specialized positions. to improve supervision in these areas.

Los Altos

Council tightens solicitation rules

Los Altos

The Los Altos City Council is scheduled to adopt a new ordinance this month that would place stricter regulations on solicitors.

Current city law prohibits solicitors from going door-to-door asking for money, excluding non-profit groups, which are protected under the First Amendment. The city requires charitable solicitors to obtain a special permit that allows them to sell goods in residential areas for two weeks.

The new ordinance would shorten the number of hours that solicitors would be allowed to go door-to-door from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. to sunset.

The ordinance is a result of recent public concern regarding solicitors knocking on doors after dark. The council said soliciting at night presents safety issues for both solicitors and residents.

-Town Crier Staff Report