By Town Crier Staff Report
 joe hu/town crier Los Altos Police Chief Bob Lacey and Community Services Officer Rod Sayre show off the emergency response trailer. |
Los Altos Police Chief Bob Lacey came to the June 26 city council meeting with a serious shopping list - and went away with the items he requested.
The council voted unanimously to add $90,000 to the budget for an emergency service coordinator position, although members did not dictate whether the position would be full-time or part-time.
“I’m just happy that money for the position is included,” Lacey said. “I’m anxious to get started.”
President David Bergman of the Los Altos Hills County Fire District had offered Los Altos an opportunity to share on a half-time basis an emergency service coordinator for disaster preparedness under the direction of the deputy chief of training for the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Bergman needed a reply by July 12.
The budget committee found that the part-time position would cost about the same as a full-time position in the Los Altos Police Department and reported it was not a wise commitment in a time of tight budgets.
But Lacey stressed the immediate need for such a resource position and the importance of avoiding further delay.
The police department currently coordinates with the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services, which designed and
presents Citizen Emergency Response Team training and has classes scheduled for the fall, which will include all city employees.
Councilmembers also approved Lacey’s request for 38 electronic restraint devices known as Tasers. If approved and submitted by Friday, the Association of Bay Area Governments will grant $10,000 toward the cost, leaving the city responsible for $11,329.
Lacey said the devices are “not a substitute for solid verbal and physical skills and tactics.” Yet the Tasers provide a less-lethal weapon to control situations with less risk to officers and citizens, he said.
An additional $16,451 was allocated to include mounted minicameras on each device. Staff and City Attorney Jolie Houston recommended the new modification as a practical defense for any potential litigation.
The council unanimously approved the request for Tasers equipped with cameras.
