A Small commitment to our community

A change in leadership is never an easy transition. So when

Kenneth Small takes over next month as Huntington Beach’s new police

chief, there are bound to be a few glitches.

But we trust they will be few and far between because, from the

looks and sounds of Small’s background, it appears the city has found

a worthy replacement for Ron Lowenberg.

Small’s last job as the Daytona Beach Chief of Police in Daytona

Beach, Fla. matches well with what he will find in Surf City: a

beach- and tourist-oriented community, with all the benefits and

problems -- transient living, summer parties -- that come with it.

It also is a bonus that Small is from the San Fernando Valley and

spent 25 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, so he will not

be unfamiliar with the territory or his colleagues from neighboring

communities.

He also has shown a commitment to community policing by

establishing such a program in Daytona. Any and all efforts to foster

greater understanding between the police force and Huntington’s

diverse population will improve the department’s ability to protect

and safeguard residents and visitors, alike.

Small has said he enjoys getting out of his office and working

with his fellow officers. Such an attitude should be a boost to the

initial days and weeks of his tenure and serve him well over the long

run.

We’re happy to welcome Small to town. We trust he will live up to

the Daytona’s Police Department’s motto: “Committed to our

Community.”

This community deserves no less.