Chief: No more cuts

The Costa Mesa Police Department can’t afford to lose any more money or personnel after the deep cuts proposed in next year’s budget, Police Chief Chris Shawkey said.

Costa Mesa is facing a budget gap of more than $16 million. Departments citywide are having to slash budgets and staffing to make up at least half of that shortfall. Costa Mesa police took furloughs and folded the Narcotics Unit last year to help balance the budget.

“We’re at a critical point,” Shawkey said, as his department faces cutting up to 30 full- and part-time employees. “We can’t afford to lose anything else. It’s going to be bad enough with these proposed cuts. It could be very detrimental. I think it’s going to dramatically impact the way we operate as a police department in the city.”

Among the recommended cuts to the police budget this year is a 50% reduction to the police helicopter program it shares with Newport Beach, the Airborne Law Enforcement (ABLE) program.

Costa Mesa city officials are recommending a $400,000 reduction to ABLE funding, which could lead to likely less flight time over the city, said Sgt. Tim Starn, who leads the program.

The police helicopter is widely considered a “force multiplier” that can direct ground units to a crime scene or coordinate a chase.

The helicopter is the first on the scene of most incidents and can spot people or vehicles leaving an area easier and earlier than patrol cars, he said.

“We definitely want to avoid cutting flight time because crime will definitely go up,” Starn said.

The Eagle police helicopter patrols Newport-Mesa about 3,000 hours a year.

Santa Ana has a contract with the city, where it pays for patrol time at an hourly rate.

If ABLE cuts flight time in Newport-Mesa, and Santa Ana continues to supply the same level of funding, Santa Ana could receive more patrol time on a percentage basis, officials said.

“Everybody knows how valuable the program is, but Costa Mesa is in horrible shape,” Starn said.

He said city officials are exploring different funding options to prevent flight cuts.

Also potentially on the chopping block is the Citizen’s Academy, which teaches Costa Mesa residents about the day-to-day operations of the department, trains them in neighborhood crime-prevention and offers volunteer opportunities.