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Published on 09/11/1995 All articles from this issue

LAH Council drops Los Altos police from consideration

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

The Los Altos Hills City Council agreed unanimously last Wednesday evening not to request the City of Los Altos to provide a proposal for police services.

"I have no problem with our contract," Councilmember Toni Casey said. "I don't know why we are even bringing this up."

In a change of events, the Sheriff's Office has decided to decentralize deputies by stationing them at contract cities. In Los Altos Hills, deputies could operate out of the Heritage House, next to City Hall.

According to Los Altos Hills City Manager Jeff Peterson, an office would be set up for the town's deputies and supplied with a fax machine, computer, phone and other office equipment. The deputy would have specific offices hours assigned to the town.

Los Altos Hills contracts for police services with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's substation is located in Saratoga and deputies are dispatched from that substation. The building became so crowded that the Sheriff's Office and county considered a new building on the West Valley College parking lot.

The building would cost the Los Altos Hills approximately $155,000 plus a yearly lease cost. In addition, a 25-year agreement would be necessary with contract cities.

Since the town was required to spend a large sum of money and enter into a long-term agreement, the staff proceeded to have informal discussions with the Palo Alto Police Department and the Los Altos Police Department regarding police services.

After preliminary discussions, Los Altos Hills found Palo Alto police services cost prohibitive. Los Altos police expressed interest in providing police services, but asked the town to make a formal request to Los Altos for the proposal.

"We should not entertain any idea of going to Los Altos for police services," Councilmember Robert Johnson said. "We need to hear from Jeff (Peterson, city manager) and Capt. (Robert) Wilson (of the Sheriff's Office) on how they set up the new proposal. It's unfair to have Los Altos running in parallel to the sheriff's proposal. I feel strongly that we do not ask for a proposal."

The Sheriff's Office decided to decentralize and discontinue plans for a Saratoga Westside substation when Monte Sereno terminated their contract with the county and went with Los Gatos. Officials also recognized the possibility that Los Altos Hills would investigate other alternatives. Details haven't been worked out, but officials indicated decentralization will likely reduce deputy driving time to all town areas.