Paramount : Funds From Utility-Tax Hike Will Be Used Against Gangs

Utility taxes will soon increase 2% in Paramount, where officials plan to use the extra funds to crack down on the 25 most notorious gang members in the city.

Four council members voted to approve the utility users’ tax Tuesday, with Councilwoman Esther Corona Caldwell abstaining after she voiced concerns about the added tax burden. Residents and businesses will pay a total 3% utility users’ tax beginning July 1.

City officials estimate the tax will raise about $1 million per year. Nearly all of it will be spent to add three sheriff’s deputies to Paramount’s streets and to reorganize the Public Safety Department.

The deputies’ first task, Deputy City Manager Pat West said, will be targeting 25 of the most hard-core gang members. They will visit the youths several times daily and arrest them whenever they are caught breaking the law, he said.