Keep Bailing

Law enforcement services provided by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to the City of Compton has left Compton with a serious debt. They owe an astounding $5.7 million and another $100,000 for acquired late fees. City of Compton has a plan to cancel its formal agreement with the L.A. Sheriff’s Department and form its own Compton Police Department.

According to Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department, the City of Compton has disregarded all written and verbal requests for payment. However, officials for the City of Compton acknowledge that they owe the L.A. Sheriff Department, and confirm that they will pay all debts owed. They also conveyed that this was due to poor communication, not in their delinquency to pay bills.

City manager, Charles Evans stated, “We do owe them money, and we will be paying.” Evans further stated that, “it will have no impact on our ability to operate, run and maintain an effective police department, and we will do that.” Nevertheless, critics of the future Compton Police Department doubt that the debts will allow for a new Police Department.

Ten years ago, the City of Compton terminated their own police force due to the high levels of violent crimes and tensions that grew between the old Compton Police Department and elected officials. Since then, they conducted Police Department procedures through the L.A. Sheriff’s Department.