Where Do Santa Barbara Cops Live?

This also has repercussions on how the police treat us as locals, some with hostility, some with jealousy.......

A much needed article proving my point. What kind of moode is an officer in who has to travel hundreds of miles?

I think the jealousy comment is completely unfounded. But the idea that our officers should be living relatively close to town as possible is great, but at the housing prices of today and their income levels, it's impossible if you have a decent size family. The cops have different beats that rotate and the idea of community policing would help - out of their cars and on the streets talking to locals - but we actually don't have many cops when you think about it. Working 12-hour shifts, days for a few months then nights then a few months later, back to days. I don't think people give the officers enough respect and instead chose to single them out for whatever reason sounds the best for the day. We should get the officers more discounted housing depending on their pay scale. I'd much rather have an officer living in my neighborhood than a house filled with 10-15 people living in it to pay the rent.

Heck with that Muggy. We already got our moneys worth by lending Cam a bunch of money for a house right? NOT.
It it is more like the cops need to get off their pedestal and understand that they are just like all of the rest of us that struggle to make ends meat here on the south coast. These cops make good money and have GREAT benefits thanks to the POA. While I'm not buying your housing argument, perhaps help with childcare and overnight stays would be useful.

Is the point that they should be paid more or retire earlier?

What do police officers in San Francisco or San Jose do?

@ Bimbo - an officer is NOT like "the rest of us". They serve and protect the community. People can believe whatever they want about how police are "corrupt" but they are extraordinary people that do extraordinary work. They're there when there's a fire, when there's violence, when there are weapons, and do their best everyday for 12 hour shifts. Until I can count on "the rest of us" to save my life at a moment's notice, then I'll consider them what you do.

Ok, they have extraordinary jobs, but it is they who have chosen the profession and are rewarded for it via good pay, and once again, great benefits via the POA. Do your job. But, when they are done, and off duty, I don't feel that the rest of us owe them a house. If they actually were a little more like the rest of us, I think it would help them serve and protect better.

We don't owe them a house, agree on that, but I do think it would be more beneficial for the community to have them living if not in town, very close to town (goleta, refugio, etc). Cops, like military, are never truly off duty. They have the responsibility and ingrained reaction to save someone, stop violence or help someone any time they see it's needed. It's not a desk job where your time is up and you don't have anything to do with it until you punch the clock again. They do have good pay but they don't make so much where they can all afford to buy a house, have kids, and live the dream. They do have great benefits, which they work hard for. Nothing is given to them but they EARNED the benefits. As for the comment that if they were more like the rest of us, it would be better...don't you think they have friends and family that are the rest of us?

One in ten! and I bet those are upper echelon cops too! I guess we should accept the fact that we've become one big gated community that feels it's perfectly acceptable to hire outside security. Shoot... I 'm feeling more priveledged already!

I don't think it's too much for them to at least have the opportunity to be part of the community they risk their lives for.

Yes, let's grant that cops have a dangerous line of work. What isn't really mentioned is that they get paid FAR more than their published salary. Most officers usually take home 30% higher of a paycheck than posted salaries due to overtime, special events and special duties. The average SB street cop's salary adjust gross is closer to $105,000 annually. There are a lot of families in Santa Barbara that make significantly less and can afford to live here in the South County encompassing Carp to Ellwood.

OT is definitely offered and many of them take it because they have to if they want to live here and/or pay for the commuting costs of protecting this town. And they should get paid well in general, they're the ones the community count on 24/7 to protect us. Yes, while other families make less and can afford to live here, they really can't be compared to a family where an officer never knows if they'll make it home that night.

Do you really believe cops want to live in the city that they work in? Most cops do not. Why do you think most LA/Ventura/Oxnard cops live in Simi Valley? They don't want to run into the people that they arrest or interact with and have them follow them home.

All three of the cops I personally know want to and like living in SB. Two were born here while the third is a retired LT (he's lucky to be able to retire relatively young).

Not sure if they're exceptions.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the PD, it's just a coincidence, small town, etc.

I thought they lived in holes dug in the ground behind the FairGrounds?

TheBiggerPicture is correct. Most cops do not like living in the district (L.A.) or city in which they work. However, Altadena is more than certainly a stretch, and these cops can afford to live in Carp, Goleta, Buellton or the like and not take two hours to assemble a SWAT team.

Yes, while other families make less and can afford to live here, they really can't be compared to a family where an officer never knows if they'll make it home that night. -Muggy

What does not knowing they may not come home have anything to do with renting a home in Carp, Goleta, Ellwood, Santa Ynez Valley??? Are you implying they need homes that are what??? Equipped with elevators for their cars? Spas? Explain please.

Come on, how many SB police have died on duty? This is a pretty calm place to work at as far as policing goes, compared to our neighbors to the south (Ventura, Oxnard), or north (Lompoc, Santa Maria), so that in itself is a perk. There is no real union contract but they do get paid very well and receive benefits which can't be touched. The job has its cons along with its pros, but I really doubt that there aren't many police right now working the inner city in a larger metropolis somewhere who wouldn't give up there job there for a job here, high rents and all.

Yes Muggy, just a little too melodramatic with the "never knowing if they will make it home that night" comment. This is not the war zone that parts of LA or many other places can be. I have to agree with AZ2SB. It is the profession they have chosen. To the cops living in SB or not: Please do your job, serve and protect, and living in SB is a privilege not a right. Thx.

I have an idea, go on a ride along with a Sheriff or SBPD at night and see if their job isn't more important than what you're making it out to be. In regards to the 'war zone'...if you think every night isn't dangerous, you try it.

Every job is important. Certainly, being a police officer is an important job and they should be well paid. But why should they retire at age 50 with full benefits? No one else does.

Why would I want to go on a ride along when I can just flip on the TV in the comfort of my home and watch another fabulous episode of ON PATROL?