Amid calls to divest from police, City Council says cuts to LBPD budget would be irresponsible
The LBPD budget is projected to grow by about $16 million, but city budget officials said that money would not increase staffing levels.
Tasked with converting helicopter pilots to civilians, LBPD still looking for solution
The budget adopted by the council last September called for about $10 million in cuts to the LBPD with a proposal to convert six sworn pilot positions to two civilian positions.
Council closes $30 million deficit in approving new budget, but anger over police funding remains
The City Council formally passed the next fiscal year’s budget Tuesday with minor changes to a document that remained largely the same as the one revealed last month, leaving some upset with the lack of cuts to the police department.
City, labor groups reach tentative agreements to help balance budget
Hundreds of Long Beach city employees will be getting their vacation times cut and experience more furloughs as the city’s labor groups reached tentative agreements Thursday.
Closing a $41 million fiscal hole this year could leave the city with little savings in 2021
The city may be forced to use $47 million of its $59 million in reserves to balance this and next year’s budgets, leaving it with just $12 million set aside for emergencies, officials said this week.
Long Beach animal care may gain new veterinarian, support for spay/neuter programs
The position, included in the 2021 fiscal year budget, would save money down the road, as well as animal lives, officials said.
LBPD budget appears safe from additional cuts after City Council hearing
The City Council has been under pressure to reinvest police funding into social services and neighborhood programs after months of protests.
Council members worry about cuts to lifeguards, parks at first budget hearing
The Long Beach Fire Department has proposed cutting a portion of its seasonal lifeguard detail that could see up to about seven fewer lifeguards on city beaches at any given time.
Q&A: Mayor Robert Garcia talks budget, coronavirus, and the loss of his mother
“We don’t know a lot about what the future is going to look like as it relates especially to COVID and economic recovery. I’ve been telling folks to understand the seriousness of what’s ahead of us and that it’s unprecedented.”
As City Council debates police cuts, many say they don’t go nearly far enough
The proposed budget would cut over $10 million from the LBPD, but some say more must be done as cities reckon with nationwide calls to reform or defund police.